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{
    "id": 573017,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/573017/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 193,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. A.B. Duale",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 15,
        "legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
        "slug": "aden-duale"
    },
    "content": "country. He made it very clear that he identifies with his Kenyan roots and sees Kenya as a serious partner of the USA Government. He mentioned that when he first came to Kenya, his sister drove him from the airport in a Volkswagen Beetle. He returned as the President of the United States of America. We want to thank him for giving his sister a lift in one of the most prestigious vehicles that the United States of America President uses. Secondly, in my view, the visit by President Barack Obama has changed the narrative. Too often, the stories about Kenya and Africa have been pointlessly and relentlessly very negative. To have him here, with the attention of the world on him as he passed the message that Africa is on the rise and that Africa and Kenya are on the move, has confirmed that Kenya is a regional economic giant. This has changed the poisonous narrative about Kenya and Africa. For Kenya, some of the discussions were particularly very positive. He noted that we are one of the very few places that truly observe the freedom of the Press. I was particularly struck by how he turned around the comparison between Kenya and South Korea. People often say that Kenya and South Korea were at the same level at the time of Independence but that in the years that followed, South Korea outpaced Kenya. I am pleased by what he said about corruption. He said that corruption is not only unique to Kenya. He even gave an example of his own State of Illinois and how they fought corruption. He said that corruption must be fought from the top to the bottom. Citizens have a role to play in saying that enough is enough in the war against corruption. He also confirmed and appreciated that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Government have led the war against corruption. He was also very pleased and affirmed the central place that women play in our society. He even said that you cannot have a team and have half of your team not playing. That was a message to the Kenyan political leadership. If we allow our women to play in the field of politics, we must allow them to play at 50 per cent participation. I am sure that with the visit of President Obama, this House must walk the talk. This House must rise to the occasion and implement the two-thirds gender rule. I am bringing the Bills. I want to remind my colleagues that President Obama of the USA said that enough is enough. The whole team and not part of the team must play. He reaffirmed the role of young leaders in that there is a relationship between age and leadership in Africa. I am sure that was a very strong message both to the Government and the Opposition. In the next general election, the young people of this country must be given space both in the elective and appointment positions. The deep friendship between Kenya and the USA was reaffirmed by President Obama at the press conference he held with President Uhuru Kenyatta where he put the record straight. He confirmed the support the USA gives in the war against terror and said that in the war against terror, we will work together shoulder to shoulder. He appreciated the role of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in their engagement against the Al-Shabaab. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is something that he appreciated. That confirms to all and sundry that he said that the KDF should not leave Somalia and that the USA Government will give more resources and support to the KDF presence in Somalia. With regard to his contribution to the African agenda, his visit showcased Africa to the world in a fashion that nobody else could have done. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}