How energetic American leader left Kenyans in awe

US President Barack Obama

 

From the moment he landed on Kenyan soil on Friday night, President Barack Obama exhibited rare stamina through a rigorous itinerary packed with back to back meetings.

 

Obama exhibited commitment to his mission in Kenya, taking every opportunity with zeal despite the 16-hour journey with a stopover at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, for refueling.

Normally, a person would relapse into fatigue from long hours of flight. Not Obama. His quick steps out of Airforce One when he landed showed just how fit he is.

The US leader has been shuttling from one meeting to another, many of them requiring detail to attention. His listening skills and oratorical powers only added to his adrenalin on the three-day visit.

He extolled commitment to duty, rare charm and ability to concentrate where many would otherwise doze off. His sense of humour, occasional Swahili words and mentions of his favourite Kenyan meals, including sukuma wiki, only appeared to energise him.

He consistently showed his mettle and grasp of Kenyan issues, not letting lethargy get the better of him as he adjusted to a different time zone.

Shortly after his arrival, the US leader headed to Villa Rosa Kempinsky Hotel where he shared a reunion dinner with members of his Kenyan family.

With his trademark smile, the US President was seated between his grandmother Sarah Obama and sister Auma Obama. He fondly reflected to the dinner with his family in his numerous speeches.

“There is more immediate family than I had known on previous visits. There was some more extended family that I had not met before...,” he said.

Obama alluded to the importance of family during the State House banquet again.

“Part of what makes this a special evening for me is the presence of my family members who are here. My grandmother, Mama Sarah, who told me I had to come back to Kenya. And when she says you should do something, generally you have to do it,” Obama told guests at State House Nairobi.

Throughout Saturday, Obama had to shuttle between the United Nations compound in Gigiri for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), the August 7 Memorial Park in the CBD and State House.

And even after a long busy day, he still had the energy for a lipala twist as he danced to Sauti Sol’s Sura Yako. One would have been forgiven to think the US president was a member of the popular Kenyan band as his steps were well choreographed. First Lady Michelle Obama will be pleased to see how good her private lessons were.

Then came the magical speech at Kasarani gymnasium that unpacked his rare grasp of Kenyan issues, ranging from marginalisation of women to runaway corruption and negative ethnicity. Like a possessed preacher, he challenged Kenyans to keep their eyes on progress instead of engaging in partisan politics.

As he left for Ethiopia later in the evening, he left Kenyans in awe of his impressive energy levels.