– ‘Homecoming’ –
Obama then met members of Kenya’s vibrant civil society – bearing the brunt of what they say are increased restrictions as Kenya fights a “war on terror” – as well as opposition politicians.
Obama’s visit to Kenya had been delayed while President Uhuru Kenyatta faced charges of crimes against humanity for his role in post-election violence seven years ago.
The International Criminal Court has since dropped the case, citing a lack of evidence and accusing Kenya of bribing or intimidating witnesses, although the trial of deputy president William Ruto continues.
On Saturday, Obama stressed the importance of protecting basic rights, comparing homophobia in Africa to racial discrimination he had encountered in the United States.
“As an African-American in the United States I am painfully aware of what happens when people are treated differently under the law. I am unequivocal on this,” Obama said, openly disagreeing with Kenyatta.
Homophobia is on the rise in Africa and espousing evangelical Christian values is a major vote-winner in many countries.
Kenyatta replied by repeating the view that gay rights were unacceptable to Kenyans and therefore “a non-issue”.
Compounding the “homecoming” atmosphere of the visit, Obama recalled details of pre-presidential trips to Kenya replete with the stuff of everyday life: broken down cars, traditional foods, lost luggage and reconnecting with his family. The president, however, joked that he wasn’t in the country “to look for my birth certificate”.
Barack Obama Sr was a pipe-smoking economist who walked out when Obama was just two and died in a car crash in Nairobi in 1982, aged 46.
Obama promised to be back when his presidency ends, telling leading Kenyan broadcaster Capital FM that climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a safari in the Masai Mara and a beach holiday in Lamu were all on his bucket list.
READ: Obama tells Capital FM he’d like to visit Mara, climb Kilimanjaro
“Climbing Kilimanjaro seems like something that should be on my list of things to do once I get out of here. The Secret Service generally doesn’t like me climbing mountains, but as a private citizen hopefully I can get away with something like that,” he said.
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