He is known for his oratorical prowess. But Kenyans — those who were lucky to have been invited to the State House dinner in honour of the US President last Saturday — got to learn one of  Barack Obama’s other talents; the man is a great dancer.

Challenged to join Kenya’s Afro-hip hop sensation Sauti Sol on the floor by the group’s leader for the award winning hit song Sura Yako, Mr Obama did not disappoint.

“How do I dance it?” asked Obama as he left his high-table seat alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“To the right to the left,” came the answer, “to the left to the right, turn around, turn around,” said the band leader Bien-Aimé Baraza,  as Obama, now joined by his sister, Dr Auma Obama, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and Ambassador Robert Godec took the floor.

“Sura yako muzuri mamaaa...na tabasamu lako mauaaaa, muzuri mamaaa,” went the song.

Within a short time the US President had got the moves right and was busy enjoying himself. One would have been mistaken to think he has been dancing benga all his life.

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“Piga dansi kidogo, Piga dansi kidogo,” the song went on, as Obama and the rest of the dancers danced this way and that way.

Before Baraza went for Obama, he had lured Auma to the dancing floor by singing her the romantic lines of the song-Sura yako mzuri mama...tabasamu lako maua.

Many slapped out their smartphones to take a picture of Obama dancing.

When the dancing was over, the guests, who included senior government officials, senators, MPs and top businesspeople, gave a deafening applause.

Obama, who was in a jolly mood, then hugged the band members, before chatting with them briefly and heading back to his seat

Sauti Sol was nominated for the BET Awards and was the winner of the Best Pop in the MTV Awards. The band has won many hearts in Kenya and beyond with their serenading melodies.

President Kenyatta has even confessed that the group is one of his favourites.

The ball was held at a specially erected tent in the State House’s lush lawns with colourful lights giving the evening a warm ambience.

The buffet was rich in tasty tropical fruits, seasoned vegetables, chicken, nyama choma and fish. There was also a variety of fine wines for the guests.