A free civil society, a bubbling business community and hope for jobs and opportunities are what will greet US President Barack Obama when he lands in the country in five days.
Activist Maina Kiai, who is also the United Nations Special Rapporteur, termed Obama visit as “a big deal” since it will be the first by a sitting US president.
Kiai pointed out that Obama would use the opportunity to endorse the role of the private sector in the society.
“President Obama’s Presidential Memorandum on Civil Society released in September 2014, in which he reasserted the central role of civil society in governance, democracy and development raises expectations. He will probably hold a meeting with civil society representatives as he does in every country he visits,” he added.
Kiai said Obama should take an extra step and separately meet the civil society representatives who constantly face criticism from the Government for their advocacy against impunity and for trying to hold the regime accountable for its actions.
The meeting will be a gathering of entrepreneurs, business leaders, mentors and high-level government officials. Foreign billionaires and some of the world’s leading investors are already trooping into the country ahead of Obama’s three-day tour ready to attend the conference.
Investors who have already jetted include Sir Richard Branson, the CEO and founder of Virgin Atlantic, Jean Oelwang, the CEO of Virgin Unite, Zia Khan of the Rockefeller Foundation and Mr Strive Masiyiwa, the founder and chairman of Econet Wireless among others.
Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed said President Uhuru Kenyatta had asked him to name new products the Kenyan businesses could start producing for the American market.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie also banks on Obama’s visit and the fact that Kenya was selected to host GES is a huge boost to the country’s global reputation as a major tourism, investment and entrepreneurship hub.
Obama visit comes at a time the tourism sector has been hit hard due to security threats posed by the Al Shabaab and travel advisories issued by the West.
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