Kenya: Why I Am Coming to Kenya - Obama

Photo: The Tony Elumelu Foundation

Tony O. Elumelu delivering a speech at Georgetown University, Washington D.C.

By Oliver MathengeUS President Barack Obama on Monday spoke of his mission in Nairobi in July, shrugging off criticism that visiting Kenya is "a dumb idea".
Obama said that the visit to Kenya for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit was critical for the future of millions of young entrepreneurs globally.
Some US commentators have criticised Obama's choice of Kenya in what is possibly his last trip to Africa before leaving office on January 20, 2017.
He was speaking at the White House during a Global Entrepreneurship event where he reiterated that his goal was to raise $1 billion (Sh96.5 billion) in new investments by 2017.

"And this summer, I'll travel to Kenya. While I'm there, I'll participate - all right, yo, Habari! And so we're going to participate in the Sixth Global Entrepreneurship Summit. And I'll have the opportunity to meet some of the brilliant young entrepreneurs from across Africa and around the world."

He added, "If enough folks respond to the challenge that I'm issuing today, I believe that at the summit in Nairobi we'll be able to announce new investments and commitments that will pay off for years to come."
President Obama also said that his entrepreneurship mission specifically targets the youth and women.
"So all told, we've set a goal of generating $1 billion in new investment for emerging entrepreneurs worldwide by 2017. And half of that money is
going to support young entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs," Obama said.

Obama will be in Kenya on the weekend of the July 25-26 for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit co-hosted by Kenya and the US.
The Summit will kick off on July 24, with events targeting youth and women entrepreneurs.
President Obama and President Uhuru Kenyatta are expected to attend on July 25.
Obama will also hold bilateral talks with Uhuru, where they will focus on trade between Kenya and the US, insecurity and terrorism and regional stability.
At the White House on Monday, Obama said that encouraging the spirit of entrepreneurship can help tackle some of the greatest challenges around the world.
"Poverty alone does not cause terrorism or sectarian violence, but investments in youth entrepreneurship and education are some of our best antidotes that we have to that kind of disorder. So all of this matters to us -- to our shared prosperity and to our shared security," Obama said.

He added that since he hosted the first Global Entrepreneurship Summit back in 2010, it has helped to train and empower thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs.
Obama said that the programme has helped small businesses expand into new markets, mobilised new investments, connected emerging innovators with mentors and networks, and expanded access to capital.
"I'm also urging governments and companies and organisations and individuals to make their own commitments. Whether that's through training and mentorship programmes, or helping entrepreneurs access capital and connect to markets, or improving educational opportunities and exchanges, everybody has a part to play. Everybody can do something," Obama said.