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President Obama and Kenya

President Obama's Message to the People of Kenya

Whether born there, or not, President Obama has been said to have strong ties to the African country of Kenya, the place where is father was born, and where Obama's brother and grandmother still live.

The president speaks, via video, to the people of Kenya on their upcoming March election advising them to put aside tribal and ethnic differences; reject intimidation and violence; address electoral disputes through Kenya’s courts, rather than on the streets; and to come together as a nation on the 50th anniversary of Kenyan independence.

Per the White House "upcoming elections are a historic opportunity for Kenyans to stand together, as a nation, for peace and progress, and for the rule of law."






From the White House blog: "Kenyans have made remarkable progress since the devastating violence that followed the elections five years ago. Lives and communities have been rebuilt, the economy has rebounded, and Kenyans have peacefully stood together to pass a historic constitution and advance important political reforms. While the international community has assisted these efforts, the Kenyan people have stood together to solidify the rule of law and put Kenya on a path to greater prosperity."

The United States established diplomatic relations with Kenya in 1964, following its December 1963 independence from the United Kingdom.

Says the president. "The eyes of the world will be on Kenya this March, and the United States stands with the Kenyan people during this historic moment."

Reaffirming US-Kenyan relations, said the president, "You will continue to have a strong friend and partner in the United States of America.”


Related
Fact Sheet: US-Kenya Relations

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