OBAMA IN KENYA

NAIROBI – Dancing, singing, cheering: as President Obama began his first official trip as president to Kenya, locals defied a security lockdown and celebrated his visit as if it were a homecoming.
"We have waited for Obama to visit the country since he became president — we want to thank God that he has finally arrived," said Grace Wangeci, a vegetable seller in Nairobi. "We thank him for fulfilling his promise to the country before he leaves the presidency."
As he opened the Global Entrepreneurship Summit on Saturday morning, Obama told Kenyans that the trip had a special resonance for him as well.
"I am proud to be the first U.S. president to visit Kenya," he said. "Obviously, it is personal for me. It's the reason why my name is Barack Hussein Obama. My father came from these parts, I have family and relatives here."
"It is wonderful to be back in Kenya," he added.
Obama also visited Memorial Park Saturday for a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the victims of the deadly 1998 bombing at the U.S. Embassy.
At the summit, Obama praised Kenya's economic growth, remarking that Africa is "on the move" as one of the fastest growing continents in the world.
"This continent needs to be a future hub of global growth and not just African growth," he said. "Kenya is leading the way."
"Go out there and start something," he added, addressing Kenyan entrepreneurs. "We're excited about it — we are expecting great things out of you."
Obama announced more than $1 billion in new commitments from the U.S. government and American banks, foundations and philanthropists — half of that money to support women and young children.
"If half of your team is not playing, you've got a problem," he said.
The presidential motorcade arrived at the Kenyan state house, a wide, white building with double porticos, just before 2:15 PM local time. The Kenyan Air Force marching band, in blue uniforms and tall animal-hair hats topped by red flowers, had been playing before his arrival but stopped as soon as the limousine pulled up.
Kenyan President Kenyatta, in a light blue suit and blue tie, stood waiting for the U.S. president.
“Mr. President,” Obama said, as he shook Kenyatta’s hand.
“Mr. President,” Kenyatta said, walking Obama along a red carpet that had been nailed to the asphalt just before he arrived, and introducing Obama to various members of the Kenyan military.
They stopped at the center for the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner and the Kenyan national anthem. Then followed a 21-gun salute not far away on the state house grounds, with white smoke from the guns rising in the distance. Obama and Kenyatta stood next to each other throughout, their arms at their sides.
A Kenyan Air Force officer marched forward with a sword drawn and presented himself to Obama, then led the president on an inspection of the troops.
Obama's three-day visit to Kenya is focused on boosting business and investment in the country and dealing with the region's security threats. Later Saturday, Obama will address those issues as he meets with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta for bilateral talks.
"Africa is the world's newest and most promising frontier of limitless opportunity," Kenyatta said at the summit. "Gone are the days when the only lens to view our continent was one of despair and indignity."
While many celebrated the arrival of President Obama on his first official visit to the country, some worried the man held up as a native son for his Kenyan roots might be too American, especially in his politics.
For weeks, Kenyan leaders and locals have threatened to demonstrate and disrupt the president's visit if he brings up gay marriage, legalized in the U.S. by a Supreme Court ruling in June. Obama will meet with Kenyan leaders later Saturday to discuss economic growth, security issues and human rights.
"We want to warn Obama to steer clear of any comments on same sex marriages during his visit," said Bishop Mark Kariuki in Nairobi. "Any attempts will lead to a call for mass demonstrations across the country and disrupt his meeting."
In majority of Africa's 54 states, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have to hide their sexual orientation for fear of persecution or criminal prosecution. In Kenya, homosexuality is illegal and gay marriage unconstitutional. South Africa is the only African country that permits gay marriage.


While in Kenya, Obama is also scheduled to meet civil society groups to discuss human rights and civil liberties. Gay rights activists are hoping Obama will help boost their cause.
"We don't want to witness scenarios where two students were expelled from a school for (being) gay," said Dennis Nzioka, an activist in Nairobi. "We need this to stop and respect other people's rights."
The president arrived Friday night local time and was greeted by Kenyatta and other senior government officials at the airport. Obama then spent the evening with his Kenyan relatives, including Mama Sarah Obama, his 96-year-old step-grandmother.
The president's visit led to a lockdown in the capital of Nairobi. Non-essential businesses in the capital are to remain closed until Obama leaves for Ethiopia on Sunday.
Some residents called the visit historic because Obama is the first sitting U.S. president to visit the country and because of his ties to the nation. Others said they had waited years for him to make the trip. "We are now very happy that Obama has finally landed in the country," said Judith Wekesa. "We can now feel the true spirit of brotherhood."
David Maina, 28, in Nairobi said he couldn't wait to hear Obama speak. "I will have an opportunity to see him live at Kasarani stadium while addressing the public," he said. "We are happy because Obama made a historic visit to the country."