Kenyan Politicians Attack Former US President Barack Obama after His Visit to Kenya
A section of Kenyan politicians have slammed former US President Barack Obama following his two-day tour to Kenya.
Led by Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria, the leaders accused Obama of doing little to uplift his ancestral home Kogelo, Kenya, and even Africa.
Kuria said the way the former US leader was welcomed and treated shows how "Africans, especially Kenyans, are a weird lot."
Obama arrived in the country on Sunday afternoon and held talks with President Uhuru at the State House and Opposition leader Raila Odinga at a Nairobi hotel. On Monday, he presided over the launch of his sister's projects done under Sauti Kuu Foundation in Kogelo, Siaya County.
"Today as a eunuch former President, he visits Kenya [and] we close all the roads for him. He then proceeds to K'Ogelo, body-searches host Governor Cornel Rasanga and reduces my good friend and Lupita Nyongo's daddy (Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o) into a spectator," said Kuria.
"The skinny kid with a funny name then delivers a seven-minute hollow speech with a curtain raiser from his sister Auma who sets the stage by giving a scathing and condescending indictment of Luo Nyanza leaders."
"No wonder Baba Raila Odinga (opposition leader) skipped the event. Meanwhile the Chicago benefactor goes on to open a $200,000 obscure centre for God knows what.
"The guy found Bill Clinton's Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in place. The same was expanded by President George Howard Walker Bush. Obama did nothing, absolutely zero, to expand AGOA. Today he launches a $200,000 whatever in Kogelo. Nani alituroga (who bewitched us)?"Kuria concluded.
Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale also accused Obama of failing to " bring development to your home."
Khalwale said: "Dear (Obama), I believe you have landed safely in South Africa, and hope that this finds you well. With tremendous respect Sir, can you tell us why while you were in the most powerful office (of the world’s biggest economy) you refused to bring development to your home, Kenya?"
The claims by the two elicited a heated debate among Kenyans on the social media, and while some defended Obama, others concurred with both Kuria and Khalwale.