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President Kenyatta: Good
afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
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Let me begin by saying that
we have had an excellent
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afternoon where we've had
very frank and, indeed, very
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fruitful discussions with
President Obama on a variety
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of issues of mutual interest
both to Kenya and the
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United States.
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This follows the signing of
agreements covering areas of
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mutual interest such as
security, visa reciprocity,
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and the development and
cooperation amongst
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other things.
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Our discussions affirmed
that Kenya and the United
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States share deep values
in many areas of
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critical interest.
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And naturally, therefore,
our peoples and governments
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speak the same language
on many issues.
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Kenya is an open, democratic
society, underpinned by an
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embrace of democracy.
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We are deepening that
democracy while fighting
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global terrorists who seek
to destroy our way of life.
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Left undefeated, they will
redraw the international
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system and make room for
violent extremism and tyranny.
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We agreed together that we
can build a future in which
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our people of all faiths,
cultures live peacefully
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together, with the rights of
individuals and minorities
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protected, and those in
power held to account by
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strong and inclusive
institutions.
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I also expressed to
President Obama that without
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building shared prosperity,
our vision of a secure
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Africa and, indeed, a stable
world will remain a
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fragile dream.
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It is for this reason that
Kenya, an increasingly
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dynamic country, is
continuously opening new
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trade and investment
frontiers across the world.
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I conveyed the hope that
during his tenure in office,
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the United States would
look to develop a strong
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strategic partnership with
Africa built on shared
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values and interests.
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I expressed the hope that
his visit would allow him
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and the people of the United
States to gain an even
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deeper insight on
Africa's challenges.
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And this will enable them to
see these challenges as an
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expression of great
opportunities that are
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available here.
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The United States is a
country of entrepreneurs
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with the unique capacity
to build transformative
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businesses, and I hope that
these entrepreneurs and
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investors will recognize
and act on the immense
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opportunities Kenya
and Africa present.
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And in this regard, I also
expressed my appreciation of
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his leadership in
shepherding the renewal
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of AGOA.
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Beyond shared values, we are
brothers and sisters, fellow
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travelers in the struggle
for a better world for all.
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And we therefore need to
upscale our partnerships in
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agriculture, infrastructure
and affordable energy.
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I also expressed my own
commitment to ensuring that
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on our part we will continue
to take the steps that
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provide the proper
conditions for a vibrant
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ecosystem for investors
and entrepreneurs.
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We agreed to continue to
engage one another so that
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we can strengthen what
is already a
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robust relationship.
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And indeed, I look forward
to hosting President Obama
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later this evening and,
indeed, also seeing him at
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the sidelines of the United
Nations General Assembly
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in September.
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President Obama, once again,
on my own behalf, on behalf
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of my government and the
people of Kenya, let me
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thank you for your support
as evidenced by the various
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agreements signed between
our two governments and,
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indeed, your willingness to
engage Kenya in the true
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spirit of partnership.
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It's now my pleasure to
introduce the President to
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make some brief
remarks as well.
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Thank you.
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(applause)
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President Obama: Habari.
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President Kenyatta, let me
just reiterate what I said
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at the summit earlier: To
you and the people of Kenya,
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thank you for the
extraordinary welcome that
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you've given me, and for the
same kindness that you've
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shown to me since my first
visit to Kenya nearly
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30 years ago.
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I'm proud to return
as the first U.S.
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President to ever visit
Kenya while still in office.
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I need to give a special
acknowledgement to everybody
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in Alego and
Kogelo and Kisumu.
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(applause)
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I'm well aware, however,
that the enthusiasm that
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we're seeing today from my
visit is a reflection of
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something bigger -- and
that's the desire among the
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Kenyan people for a deeper
partnership with America.
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And that's why I'm here.
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My work with President
Kenyatta today has been
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rooted in our shared
recognition that the
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interests of both our
nations, and the lives of
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both our peoples, can be
advanced if our countries
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deepen and expand
our cooperation.
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And that's what we've
agreed to today.
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First, I want to salute the
Kenyan people for their
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hard-won progress in
strengthening their democracy.
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Millions voted for the new
constitution, one of the
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most progressive in Africa,
with its strong protections
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for freedom of expression,
assembly and the press, and
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its emphasis on equality
and against discrimination.
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The election two years ago
was competitive and
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largely peaceful.
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Kenya has a determined,
active, feisty press -- as
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we see here today.
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And as I've said elsewhere,
a free press helps make a
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nation stronger and more
successful, and it makes us
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leaders more effective
because it demands
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greater accountability.
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Kenya has a vibrant civil
society, which is essential
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for any democracy, and I
look forward to meeting
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tomorrow with
representatives from civil
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society who stand up for the
dignity and rights
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of all Kenyans.
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Dignity begins, of course,
with the ability to provide
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a decent life
for our families.
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And today, President
Kenyatta and I agreed to
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expand the economic
partnerships between our
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peoples that can provide
broad-based prosperity.
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We will extend student and
business visas for up to
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five years for Kenyans
traveling to the United
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States and for Americans
traveling to Kenya.
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This will make it easier
for university students to
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complete their studies and
for businesses to make
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long-term plans.
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Our governments are also
working to launch direct
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flights between Kenya and
the United States as
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soon as possible.
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As part of our Young African
Leaders Initiative, we'll
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also continue to support
promising Kenyan youth as
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they work to become future
leaders in business, civil
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society and government.
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Now that we've renewed
the African Growth and
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Opportunity Act, or AGOA,
for another 10 years, I
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discussed with President
Kenyatta how we can expand
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our economic cooperation.
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And we're especially focused
on infrastructure and energy
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-- two keys to
economic growth.
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Our Power Africa initiative
is supporting Kenya's goal
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of achieving its national
energy needs -- electricity
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for Kenyans -- by 2030.
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And this includes
innovations that bring power
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to rural Kenyans who are off
the grid, as I saw earlier
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today at the Global
Entrepreneurship Summit.
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I also want to commend
Kenya, a leader in clean
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energy, for announcing its
post-2020 target to limit
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carbon emissions as part of
our fight against
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climate change.
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Together, we are confronting
insidious threats to
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Kenya's prosperity.
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President Kenyatta, I want
to commend you on your
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announced commitment to
rooting out corruption.
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With the joint commitment
we've agreed to today, the
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United States will offer
advice and technical
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assistance to support Kenya
as it takes additional steps
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to increase transparency
and accountability, and to
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strengthen institutions
that fight corruption.
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So we're making important
commitments, and now we need
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to work together
to fulfill them.
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Because if Kenya can put
in place the habits and
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institutions of good
governance, it can help
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unleash even greater
growth and investment and
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prosperity for
the Kenyan people.
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And that will be
good for everybody.
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Our countries are also
close partners in the fight
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against poachers and
traffickers that threaten
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Kenya's world-famous
wildlife.
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The United States has a ban
already on the commercial
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import of elephant ivory.
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I can announce that we're
proposing a new rule that
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bans the sale of virtually
all ivory across our state
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lines, which will eliminate
the market for illegal ivory
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in the United States.
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On security, the United
States and Kenya are already
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strong partners, and today
we reaffirm that we stand
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united in the
face of terrorism.
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Earlier, I had the
opportunity to meet with
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survivors and families of
victims of the bombing of
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our U.S. embassy in 1998.
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In the face of despicable
violence, such as the attack
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on Garissa University
College and the Westgate
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Mall, the Kenyan people have
shown incredible resolve and
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remarkable resilience.
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I also want to pay tribute
to the sacrifices of Kenyan
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forces who serve in the
African Union-led mission
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against al-Shabaab in
Somalia, and to thank Kenya
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for hosting so many Somali
refugees, who are also
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victims of al-Shabaab.
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Today, we discussed
deepening our
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security cooperation.
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As part of our Security
Governance Initiative, our
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governments signed an action
plan yesterday in which
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we'll support Kenya's effort
to strengthen its judiciary,
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police and border security.
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We also discussed broader
efforts to counter violent
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extremism, here in Kenya and
around the world -- efforts
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that are advanced when there
is rule of law, respect for
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human rights, a space for
civil society and peaceful
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dissent, and when we welcome
all communities as our partners.
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All our nations are going
to have to work together in
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order for us to
be successful.
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We also had the opportunity
to discuss regional security
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issues, and we focused in
particular on the terrible
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conflict in South Sudan,
which has taken so many
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lives, that cause unbearable
suffering for the South
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Sudanese people.
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The situation is dire.
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And we agree that the best
way to stop the fighting is
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for South Sudanese leaders
to put their country first
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with a peace agreement
that ends the fighting.
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We also discussed Burundi,
where the recent elections
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were not credible.
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And we're calling on
the government and the
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opposition to come together
in a dialogue that leads to
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a political solution to the
crisis and avoids the loss
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of more innocent life.
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And finally, we're going to
keep investing in the health
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and well-being
of our people.
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Our Feed the Future
initiative is focused on
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reducing hunger,
malnutrition and poverty.
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We're working together to
ensure that girls have
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access to education and that
women are protected
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from violence.
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Today, I can announce that
Kenya will be part of our
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DREAMS initiative to help
keep adolescent girls safe
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and AIDS-free.
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And across Africa, Kenya and
the United States will keep
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working to strengthen public
health systems and deal with
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outbreaks and diseases
before they become epidemics.
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Together, we can save lives.
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So, President Kenyatta,
thank you for the progress
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and new commitments
that we made today.
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I know that Kenya faces
persistent challenges, as
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does the United States.
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But I will tell you that
every time I come here, I'm
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struck by the dynamism
and the hopefulness, the
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determination and the talent
of the Kenyan people.
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And I look forward to the
opportunity to speak to the
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people of Kenya tomorrow
about the future that we can
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build together.
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Asante sana.
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(applause)
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Do you want me to start?
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Okay.
249
00:13:13,492 --> 00:13:14,892
Mr. Jeff Mason.
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Audience Member:
Thank you very much.
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00:13:16,562 --> 00:13:19,032
Mr. President, I'd like
to ask about two topics.
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00:13:19,031 --> 00:13:22,971
First of all, what more
specifically can the U.S.
253
00:13:22,968 --> 00:13:26,768
do to help Kenya in the
fight against al-Shabaab?
254
00:13:26,772 --> 00:13:30,372
Do you still see Somalia as
a counterterrorism model?
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00:13:30,376 --> 00:13:32,716
And are you concerned about
Kenyan authorities using
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00:13:32,711 --> 00:13:35,611
counterterrorism as an
excuse to commit human
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00:13:35,614 --> 00:13:37,384
rights violations?
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00:13:37,383 --> 00:13:40,923
Secondly, can you comment on
the state of gay and lesbian
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00:13:40,920 --> 00:13:43,460
-- the treatment of gay and
lesbians in Kenya, which
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00:13:43,455 --> 00:13:45,895
rights groups have called
dismal, and President
261
00:13:45,891 --> 00:13:48,861
Kenyatta has
called a non-issue?
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00:13:48,861 --> 00:13:52,201
For you, sir, President
Kenyatta, on the same themes
263
00:13:52,198 --> 00:13:54,268
-- what more do you need
from the United States to
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00:13:54,266 --> 00:13:57,136
help fight al-Shabaab,
and are you getting it?
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And can you please also
respond to criticism about
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00:13:59,471 --> 00:14:01,471
the state of gay
rights in your country?
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00:14:01,473 --> 00:14:07,843
President Obama: Well, this
was an extensive topic of
268
00:14:07,846 --> 00:14:11,286
conversation and concrete
action that we're now taking.
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00:14:13,752 --> 00:14:19,622
There has been extensive and
effective counterterrorism
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00:14:19,625 --> 00:14:21,825
cooperation between the
United States and Kenya
271
00:14:24,230 --> 00:14:27,630
dealing with primarily
threats from al-Shabaab.
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00:14:30,603 --> 00:14:34,003
In part because of the
actions that we've taken not
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00:14:34,006 --> 00:14:40,016
just with Kenya, but with
AFRICOM, and the efforts,
274
00:14:42,881 --> 00:14:46,921
collectively, of countries
to work together -- Uganda,
275
00:14:46,919 --> 00:14:52,929
Ethiopia, others -- we have
systematically reduced the
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00:14:55,294 --> 00:14:57,394
territory that
al-Shabaab controls.
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00:14:59,398 --> 00:15:03,498
We have been able to
decrease their effective
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00:15:03,502 --> 00:15:09,512
control within Somalia, and
have weakened those networks
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00:15:11,610 --> 00:15:14,410
operating here
in East Africa.
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00:15:14,413 --> 00:15:16,413
That doesn't mean the
problem is solved.
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00:15:16,415 --> 00:15:22,285
As is true around the world,
what we find is, is that we
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00:15:22,288 --> 00:15:24,928
can degrade significantly
the capacities of these
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00:15:24,923 --> 00:15:30,363
terrorist organizations, but
they can still do damage.
284
00:15:30,362 --> 00:15:35,902
The number of individuals
involved in Garissa or
285
00:15:35,901 --> 00:15:41,471
Westgate Mall were not
large, but when they're
286
00:15:41,473 --> 00:15:46,543
willing to target soft
targets and civilians, and
287
00:15:46,545 --> 00:15:48,715
are prepared to die, they
can still do a lot of damage.
288
00:15:48,714 --> 00:15:53,784
And so what we discussed was
the importance of, number
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00:15:53,786 --> 00:15:58,126
one, continuing the effort
to root out al-Shabaab's
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00:15:58,123 --> 00:16:05,533
capacity inside of
Somalia, working jointly.
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00:16:05,531 --> 00:16:09,531
And as we speak, Kenya is
working with Ethiopia and
292
00:16:09,535 --> 00:16:14,645
with the United States and
others to further degrade
293
00:16:14,640 --> 00:16:18,810
al-Shabaab's space of
operations inside of Somalia.
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00:16:18,811 --> 00:16:21,411
So we have to keep that
pressure going, even as
295
00:16:21,413 --> 00:16:23,553
we're strengthening the
Somalian government.
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00:16:23,549 --> 00:16:26,919
Because part of the reason
that al-Shabaab was able to
297
00:16:26,919 --> 00:16:31,219
emerge as a significant
threat to the region was a
298
00:16:31,223 --> 00:16:34,163
non-functioning government,
effectively a failed state
299
00:16:34,159 --> 00:16:36,399
in Somalia for so long.
300
00:16:36,395 --> 00:16:40,365
There is now a government
and a cabinet that is
301
00:16:40,366 --> 00:16:43,436
credible and is working with
the international community
302
00:16:43,435 --> 00:16:44,435
in Mogadishu.
303
00:16:44,436 --> 00:16:51,276
And even as we put military
pressure on al-Shabaab, we
304
00:16:51,276 --> 00:16:53,946
also have to make sure
that we're standing up an
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00:16:53,946 --> 00:16:56,546
effective governance
structure inside of Somalia.
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00:16:56,548 --> 00:16:59,048
And we've made
progress there.
307
00:16:59,051 --> 00:17:02,591
In addition, we have to
continue to make progress in
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00:17:02,588 --> 00:17:06,388
intelligence-sharing and
being able to identify and
309
00:17:06,392 --> 00:17:09,692
prevent threats before they
occur here in Kenya and
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00:17:09,695 --> 00:17:11,995
elsewhere in the region.
311
00:17:11,997 --> 00:17:18,967
And part of our announcement
today involves additional
312
00:17:18,971 --> 00:17:22,111
funding, additional
assistance that we're
313
00:17:22,107 --> 00:17:26,147
providing the Kenyan
security forces to deal with
314
00:17:26,145 --> 00:17:28,285
these very specific
counterterrorism threats, as
315
00:17:28,280 --> 00:17:32,820
well as additional training
and assistance to make sure
316
00:17:32,818 --> 00:17:36,788
that the approach that's
taken in rooting out
317
00:17:36,789 --> 00:17:41,089
potential terrorist threats
don't create more problems
318
00:17:41,093 --> 00:17:42,093
than they're solving.
319
00:17:42,094 --> 00:17:45,294
And this goes to the other
element of the question that
320
00:17:45,297 --> 00:17:46,897
you asked.
321
00:17:46,899 --> 00:17:49,099
What we have found,
sometimes through hard
322
00:17:49,101 --> 00:17:52,241
experience -- and I shared
this with President Kenyatta
323
00:17:52,237 --> 00:17:55,607
-- is that if you paint any
particular community with
324
00:17:55,607 --> 00:18:02,277
too broad a brush, if in
reaction to terrorism you
325
00:18:02,281 --> 00:18:08,491
are restricting legitimate
organizations, reducing the
326
00:18:08,487 --> 00:18:14,497
scope of peaceful
organization, then that can
327
00:18:17,196 --> 00:18:20,996
have the inadvertent effect
of actually increasing the
328
00:18:20,999 --> 00:18:24,299
pool of recruits for
terrorism and resentment in
329
00:18:24,303 --> 00:18:27,473
communities that
feel marginalized.
330
00:18:27,473 --> 00:18:30,143
And I shared with him that
one of the strengths in the
331
00:18:30,142 --> 00:18:33,142
United States, part of the
reason why, although we're
332
00:18:33,145 --> 00:18:37,585
seeing potential lone wolf
attacks inside the United
333
00:18:37,583 --> 00:18:41,453
States, that we have not
seen this sort of systematic
334
00:18:43,755 --> 00:18:48,295
networks and cells
developing in many of our
335
00:18:48,293 --> 00:18:50,333
Muslim communities or
immigrant communities inside
336
00:18:50,329 --> 00:18:52,429
of the United States is,
is that we've been very
337
00:18:52,431 --> 00:18:55,101
conscious to make sure that
law enforcement is reaching
338
00:18:55,100 --> 00:18:57,400
out and cooperating and
working with them, because
339
00:18:57,402 --> 00:19:00,772
they are our partners
in this process.
340
00:19:00,772 --> 00:19:04,842
And the only way we're going
to fight the poison that's
341
00:19:04,843 --> 00:19:10,113
being fed to their young
people through social media
342
00:19:10,115 --> 00:19:14,625
is to make sure that they're
our eyes and our ears, and
343
00:19:14,620 --> 00:19:17,920
they're counseling us on
how we can more effectively
344
00:19:17,923 --> 00:19:21,463
build trust and
increase cooperation.
345
00:19:21,460 --> 00:19:23,000
And that's proven
successful.
346
00:19:22,995 --> 00:19:24,965
The same will be
true here in Kenya.
347
00:19:24,963 --> 00:19:29,333
I was very clear to
President Kenyatta --
348
00:19:29,334 --> 00:19:36,144
ultimately, the Kenyan
government is accountable to
349
00:19:36,141 --> 00:19:41,411
the Kenyan people, and it
will find its way through
350
00:19:41,413 --> 00:19:45,923
this process in cooperation
with us, but our experience
351
00:19:45,918 --> 00:19:52,428
and best practices tell us
that rule of law, respecting
352
00:19:52,424 --> 00:19:55,294
civil society -- in fact,
embracing civil society,
353
00:19:55,294 --> 00:19:57,294
particularly in those
communities that may be
354
00:19:57,296 --> 00:20:00,766
targeted for recruitment
by organizations like
355
00:20:00,766 --> 00:20:04,006
al-Shabaab -- that becomes
more important the more
356
00:20:04,002 --> 00:20:09,172
significant the threat is.
357
00:20:09,174 --> 00:20:12,144
And not only is that
practical advice, but it's
358
00:20:12,144 --> 00:20:15,184
the right thing to do, and
it's consistent with the
359
00:20:15,180 --> 00:20:18,650
Kenyan constitution and with
the values that you heard
360
00:20:18,650 --> 00:20:20,650
President Kenyatta espouse.
361
00:20:22,487 --> 00:20:27,027
Similarly, with respect
to the rights of gays and
362
00:20:27,025 --> 00:20:31,095
lesbians, I've been
consistent all across Africa
363
00:20:31,096 --> 00:20:32,126
on this.
364
00:20:32,130 --> 00:20:38,840
I believe in the principle
of treating people equally
365
00:20:38,837 --> 00:20:43,307
under the law, and that
they are deserving of equal
366
00:20:43,308 --> 00:20:47,448
protection under the law and
that the state should not
367
00:20:47,446 --> 00:20:50,116
discriminate against people
based on their
368
00:20:50,115 --> 00:20:52,115
sexual orientation.
369
00:20:53,919 --> 00:20:56,789
And I say that, recognizing
that there may be people who
370
00:20:56,788 --> 00:21:01,098
have different religious
or cultural beliefs.
371
00:21:03,595 --> 00:21:08,335
But the issue is how does
the state operate relative
372
00:21:08,333 --> 00:21:14,343
to people.
373
00:21:14,339 --> 00:21:18,079
If you look at the history
of countries around the
374
00:21:18,076 --> 00:21:22,176
world, when you start
treating people differently
375
00:21:25,083 --> 00:21:27,483
-- not because of any harm
they're doing anybody, but
376
00:21:27,486 --> 00:21:33,396
because they're different
-- that's the path whereby
377
00:21:33,392 --> 00:21:39,062
freedoms begin to erode
and bad things happen.
378
00:21:42,134 --> 00:21:45,504
And when a government gets
in the habit of treating
379
00:21:45,504 --> 00:21:49,644
people differently,
those habits can spread.
380
00:21:53,945 --> 00:21:59,885
And as an African-American
in the United States, I am
381
00:21:59,885 --> 00:22:02,725
painfully aware of the
history of what happens when
382
00:22:02,721 --> 00:22:06,121
people are treated
differently, under the law,
383
00:22:06,124 --> 00:22:08,964
and there were all sorts of
rationalizations that were
384
00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:16,070
provided by the power
structure for decades in the
385
00:22:16,068 --> 00:22:19,738
United States for
segregation and Jim Crow and
386
00:22:19,738 --> 00:22:23,608
slavery, and
they were wrong.
387
00:22:23,608 --> 00:22:30,318
So I'm unequivocal on this.
388
00:22:30,315 --> 00:22:44,795
If somebody is a law-abiding
citizen who is going about
389
00:22:44,796 --> 00:22:51,106
their business, and working
in a job, an obeying the
390
00:22:51,103 --> 00:22:51,873
traffic signs -
391
00:22:51,870 --> 00:22:53,140
(laughter)
392
00:22:53,138 --> 00:22:57,078
-- and doing all the other
things that good citizens
393
00:22:57,075 --> 00:23:03,145
are supposed to do, and not
harming anybody -- the idea
394
00:23:03,148 --> 00:23:06,188
that they are going to be
treated differently or
395
00:23:06,184 --> 00:23:09,284
abused because of who
they love is wrong.
396
00:23:12,090 --> 00:23:14,090
Full stop.
397
00:23:17,295 --> 00:23:23,305
And the state does not need
to weigh in on
398
00:23:30,308 --> 00:23:31,308
religious doctrine.
399
00:23:31,309 --> 00:23:35,209
The state just has to
say we're going to treat
400
00:23:35,213 --> 00:23:37,213
everybody equally
under the law.
401
00:23:37,215 --> 00:23:38,785
And then everybody else can
have their own opinions.
402
00:23:38,784 --> 00:23:52,434
All right?
403
00:23:52,430 --> 00:23:52,700
Audience Member: President
Kenyatta, could you address
404
00:23:52,697 --> 00:23:54,267
the questions
as well, please?
405
00:23:54,266 --> 00:23:56,566
President Kenyatta: Yes,
we'll address them.
406
00:23:56,568 --> 00:23:59,408
(laughter)
407
00:23:59,404 --> 00:24:05,014
First and foremost, I
couldn't agree more on what
408
00:24:05,010 --> 00:24:08,150
President Obama has just
said, especially with regard
409
00:24:08,146 --> 00:24:10,946
to the issue of the
fight against terrorism.
410
00:24:10,949 --> 00:24:14,789
The support and the
partnership that we have
411
00:24:14,786 --> 00:24:18,826
with the United States from
an intelligence point of
412
00:24:18,824 --> 00:24:21,364
view, from a
counterterrorism point of
413
00:24:21,359 --> 00:24:25,129
view, but more importantly,
as he's also just mentioned,
414
00:24:25,130 --> 00:24:30,170
working with societies on
how to prevent especially
415
00:24:30,168 --> 00:24:36,078
extremists from finding
better fodder for them to be
416
00:24:36,074 --> 00:24:40,914
able to develop and to
grow and to nurture the
417
00:24:40,912 --> 00:24:41,982
terrorists of tomorrow.
418
00:24:41,980 --> 00:24:46,280
You also heard him say --
and, indeed, we're truly
419
00:24:46,284 --> 00:24:50,624
grateful -- his expansion
under the agreements that
420
00:24:50,622 --> 00:24:53,022
we've signed of the
cooperation and the
421
00:24:53,024 --> 00:24:57,394
assistance that we're
getting from the United States.
422
00:24:57,395 --> 00:25:00,535
So as a country, as a
government, we are satisfied
423
00:25:00,532 --> 00:25:01,872
with what we're doing.
424
00:25:01,867 --> 00:25:04,537
We need to expand that more.
425
00:25:04,536 --> 00:25:08,436
Because the battle that
we're fighting is not a
426
00:25:08,440 --> 00:25:10,310
Kenyan war.
427
00:25:10,308 --> 00:25:15,248
Kenya just happens to be
the frontier of it, being a
428
00:25:15,247 --> 00:25:21,117
neighbor to a country that
for a long time has not had
429
00:25:21,119 --> 00:25:23,159
any kind of formal
government.
430
00:25:23,154 --> 00:25:26,254
We need to work much closer
together to see how we can
431
00:25:26,258 --> 00:25:28,258
stabilize Somalia.
432
00:25:28,260 --> 00:25:31,860
We need to work much closer
together to see how we can
433
00:25:31,863 --> 00:25:36,433
help the Somali government,
which is in place, work
434
00:25:36,434 --> 00:25:41,304
together with its regional
governments in order to
435
00:25:41,306 --> 00:25:45,106
continuously decrease the
area and the space that
436
00:25:45,110 --> 00:25:50,150
al-Shabaab and the like have
to operate and to train and
437
00:25:50,148 --> 00:25:54,618
to expert terror not just
to Kenya, but also to other
438
00:25:54,619 --> 00:25:56,759
parts of the world.
439
00:25:56,755 --> 00:25:59,225
So I'm looking forward to
deepening the partnership
440
00:25:59,224 --> 00:26:00,624
that we already have.
441
00:26:00,625 --> 00:26:03,595
But we are satisfied with
the kind of cooperation that
442
00:26:03,595 --> 00:26:07,595
we've had and the close
working relationship between
443
00:26:07,599 --> 00:26:09,439
our various institutions.
444
00:26:09,434 --> 00:26:11,434
You raised the issue
of human rights, and I
445
00:26:11,436 --> 00:26:14,306
mentioned earlier that the
kind of fight we're having
446
00:26:14,306 --> 00:26:17,576
right now, this is an
existential fight for us;
447
00:26:17,575 --> 00:26:20,845
this is something that we
have not been familiar with.
448
00:26:20,845 --> 00:26:23,985
Kenya has always been a
country that has respected
449
00:26:23,982 --> 00:26:25,822
different religions.
450
00:26:25,817 --> 00:26:28,757
This issue of
terrorism is new to us.
451
00:26:28,753 --> 00:26:33,423
And as it is new, we learn
with each and every step.
452
00:26:33,425 --> 00:26:37,965
We are improving our
capacities and our methods
453
00:26:37,963 --> 00:26:41,563
of dealing with terrorism.
454
00:26:41,566 --> 00:26:44,406
We, as a country, are
willing to learn.
455
00:26:44,402 --> 00:26:48,002
We have undertaken
fundamental reforms in our
456
00:26:48,006 --> 00:26:51,706
police services to help us
to deal with this
457
00:26:51,710 --> 00:26:53,140
particular problem.
458
00:26:53,144 --> 00:26:56,384
We are continuing to partner
with friends, like the
459
00:26:56,381 --> 00:26:59,321
United States, who are
giving their own experiences
460
00:26:59,317 --> 00:27:02,317
as to how they have handled
this particular problem, and
461
00:27:02,320 --> 00:27:04,890
we are keen to learn
and to participate.
462
00:27:04,889 --> 00:27:07,959
And I am certain that as
we move forward, as we get
463
00:27:07,959 --> 00:27:13,369
better, as we learn from
others, we will be able to
464
00:27:13,365 --> 00:27:16,935
handle the situation in a
manner that does not, as
465
00:27:16,935 --> 00:27:21,575
President Obama said,
encourage this kind of
466
00:27:21,573 --> 00:27:29,013
activity going forward
on the basis of either
467
00:27:29,014 --> 00:27:34,224
marginalization or people
feeling that particular
468
00:27:34,219 --> 00:27:37,889
communities are
being targeted.
469
00:27:37,889 --> 00:27:41,159
As a country, we have done
a lot, especially under our
470
00:27:41,159 --> 00:27:43,759
new constitution, our
new devolved system of
471
00:27:43,762 --> 00:27:47,362
government that is aimed
at providing and ensuring
472
00:27:47,365 --> 00:27:50,235
equity and development
across the country.
473
00:27:50,235 --> 00:27:53,005
We have put a lot of
resources into some of the
474
00:27:53,004 --> 00:27:55,804
previously neglected areas.
475
00:27:55,807 --> 00:27:59,247
In fact, today, as we
sit, a huge portion --
476
00:27:59,244 --> 00:28:03,184
approximately 40 percent of
our national budget is being
477
00:28:03,181 --> 00:28:06,621
invested in those areas in
an attempt to ensure that
478
00:28:06,618 --> 00:28:09,888
all communities in our
country feel that the
479
00:28:09,888 --> 00:28:12,328
government is for them all
and that they are part and
480
00:28:12,323 --> 00:28:14,693
parcel of the
social-economic development
481
00:28:14,692 --> 00:28:16,062
of our country.
482
00:28:16,061 --> 00:28:18,561
So we will continue
to improve.
483
00:28:18,563 --> 00:28:19,803
We will continue to learn.
484
00:28:19,798 --> 00:28:22,838
We will continue to
participate with all
485
00:28:22,834 --> 00:28:26,674
communities, with civil
society, to strengthen our
486
00:28:26,671 --> 00:28:29,841
partnership in order to
ultimately be able to defeat
487
00:28:29,841 --> 00:28:30,841
this enemy.
488
00:28:30,842 --> 00:28:36,782
With regard to the second
question, just like
489
00:28:36,781 --> 00:28:41,151
President Obama, I think
we also need to be able to
490
00:28:41,152 --> 00:28:43,152
speak frankly about
some of these things.
491
00:28:43,154 --> 00:28:46,424
And the fact of the matter
is that Kenya and the United
492
00:28:46,424 --> 00:28:52,494
States, we share so many
values -- our common love
493
00:28:52,497 --> 00:28:58,167
for democracy,
entrepreneurship, value
494
00:28:58,169 --> 00:29:00,109
for families.
495
00:29:00,105 --> 00:29:01,875
These are things
that we share.
496
00:29:01,873 --> 00:29:04,943
But there are some things
that we must admit we don't
497
00:29:04,943 --> 00:29:08,983
share -- our culture, our
societies don't accept.
498
00:29:08,980 --> 00:29:12,680
It is very difficult for
us to be able to impose on
499
00:29:12,684 --> 00:29:18,724
people that which they
themselves do not accept.
500
00:29:18,723 --> 00:29:22,423
This is why I repeatedly say
that, for Kenyans today, the
501
00:29:22,427 --> 00:29:26,497
issue of gay rights is
really a non-issue.
502
00:29:26,498 --> 00:29:31,238
We want to focus on other
areas that are day-to-day
503
00:29:31,236 --> 00:29:34,136
living for our people: The
health issues that we have
504
00:29:34,139 --> 00:29:35,409
discussed with
President Obama.
505
00:29:35,406 --> 00:29:37,106
These are critical.
506
00:29:37,108 --> 00:29:41,978
Issues of ensuring
inclusivity of women, a huge
507
00:29:41,980 --> 00:29:45,080
section of society that is
normally left out of the
508
00:29:45,083 --> 00:29:48,083
mainstream of
economic development.
509
00:29:48,086 --> 00:29:51,056
What we can do in terms of
infrastructure; what we can
510
00:29:51,055 --> 00:29:54,295
do in terms of education; in
terms of our roads; in terms
511
00:29:54,292 --> 00:29:56,762
of giving our people
power, encouraging
512
00:29:56,761 --> 00:29:57,831
entrepreneurship.
513
00:29:57,829 --> 00:29:59,499
These are the key focuses.
514
00:29:59,497 --> 00:30:02,767
Maybe once, like you have
overcome some of these
515
00:30:02,767 --> 00:30:04,767
challenges, we can begin
to look at new ones.
516
00:30:04,769 --> 00:30:08,809
But as of now, the fact
remains that this issue is
517
00:30:08,806 --> 00:30:13,246
not really an issue that
is on the foremost mind of
518
00:30:13,244 --> 00:30:19,484
Kenyans, and
that is the fact.
519
00:30:19,484 --> 00:30:22,724
Audience Member:
Thank you very much.
520
00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:26,560
I have two questions for
President Obama and a
521
00:30:26,558 --> 00:30:28,558
question for President
Uhuru Kenyatta.
522
00:30:28,560 --> 00:30:30,900
My first question to
President Obama is: There
523
00:30:30,895 --> 00:30:36,435
has been a perception
that Kenya and the U.S.
524
00:30:36,434 --> 00:30:39,834
had a strained relationship
right from the time that we
525
00:30:39,837 --> 00:30:41,537
had a new government.
526
00:30:41,539 --> 00:30:45,179
And in fact, we had several
Western countries saying
527
00:30:45,176 --> 00:30:48,646
that, indeed, choices
had consequences.
528
00:30:48,646 --> 00:30:53,586
Is you coming to Kenya sort
of pressing a reset button
529
00:30:53,585 --> 00:30:56,155
to tell us that, indeed,
you are ready to renew your
530
00:30:56,154 --> 00:30:58,754
relationship with this
country that you've had a
531
00:30:58,756 --> 00:31:02,826
long-running relationship
with for quite some years?
532
00:31:02,827 --> 00:31:05,567
And my second question
is about the funding.
533
00:31:05,563 --> 00:31:07,533
Indeed, you have told us
about several agreements
534
00:31:07,532 --> 00:31:08,832
that have been signed.
535
00:31:08,833 --> 00:31:11,073
Does it concern your
government that, indeed,
536
00:31:11,069 --> 00:31:13,969
there is corruption that has
-- it's an issue that has
537
00:31:13,972 --> 00:31:15,612
been taken head on by
our very President?
538
00:31:15,607 --> 00:31:17,607
And in fact, some of his
cabinet secretaries and
539
00:31:17,609 --> 00:31:20,249
peers and top government
officials are currently in
540
00:31:20,245 --> 00:31:21,345
court because of that.
541
00:31:21,346 --> 00:31:23,386
Does it concern your
government that, indeed,
542
00:31:23,381 --> 00:31:25,281
you're spending money in a
country that the President
543
00:31:25,283 --> 00:31:28,323
himself is concerned about
the level of corruption?
544
00:31:28,319 --> 00:31:31,259
And to President Uhuru
Kenyatta: There has also
545
00:31:31,256 --> 00:31:34,356
been a perception about
Kenya looking increasingly
546
00:31:34,359 --> 00:31:37,429
east, especially after the
general election in 2013,
547
00:31:37,428 --> 00:31:38,898
other things that were said.
548
00:31:38,896 --> 00:31:42,496
So is this also sort of an
announcement that, indeed,
549
00:31:42,500 --> 00:31:44,740
our traditional
partners are -- the U.S.
550
00:31:44,736 --> 00:31:49,676
-- we affirm the commitment
to renewing our agreements
551
00:31:49,674 --> 00:31:52,174
that we had in place and,
indeed, we are going forward
552
00:31:52,176 --> 00:31:53,176
and working together?
553
00:31:53,177 --> 00:31:54,177
Thank you.
554
00:31:54,178 --> 00:32:00,388
President Obama: Well, first
of all, we don't need a
555
00:32:00,385 --> 00:32:06,395
reset because the U.S.-Kenya
relationship and cooperation
556
00:32:09,961 --> 00:32:15,971
continued robustly
throughout my presidency.
557
00:32:19,637 --> 00:32:22,537
The fact that I didn't get
here may have gotten people
558
00:32:22,540 --> 00:32:23,370
riled up.
559
00:32:23,374 --> 00:32:29,914
But, frankly, given my
familiarity and knowledge
560
00:32:29,914 --> 00:32:33,054
with Kenya, the fact that
there were many countries
561
00:32:33,051 --> 00:32:38,121
across this vast continent
that I had never visited, it
562
00:32:38,122 --> 00:32:43,562
was always my intention to
get to Kenya, but I wanted
563
00:32:43,561 --> 00:32:46,431
to make sure that people
didn't think I was playing
564
00:32:46,431 --> 00:32:47,501
favorites so quick -
565
00:32:47,498 --> 00:32:49,368
(laughter)
566
00:32:49,367 --> 00:32:51,407
-- immediately
after I was elected.
567
00:32:51,402 --> 00:32:56,712
Now, to be honest -- and I
think President Kenyatta
568
00:32:56,708 --> 00:33:01,248
would acknowledge this as
well -- there were deep
569
00:33:01,245 --> 00:33:06,455
concerns and tensions
arising out of the violence
570
00:33:06,451 --> 00:33:10,151
that took place in
an earlier election.
571
00:33:10,154 --> 00:33:13,394
We haven't made any
secret about that.
572
00:33:13,391 --> 00:33:17,161
Accounting is being done
of what happened there.
573
00:33:17,161 --> 00:33:23,101
And we continue to believe
that norms have to be
574
00:33:23,101 --> 00:33:29,571
observed and all countries,
big and small -- not just
575
00:33:29,574 --> 00:33:32,514
African countries, but all
countries -- should be held
576
00:33:32,510 --> 00:33:39,150
to high standards in
terms of making sure that
577
00:33:39,150 --> 00:33:42,390
elections, democratic
processes, don't lead
578
00:33:42,387 --> 00:33:44,387
to violence.
579
00:33:45,723 --> 00:33:51,093
The subsequent election
that showed growth in the
580
00:33:51,095 --> 00:33:56,165
election process, the new
constitution that reflects
581
00:33:56,167 --> 00:34:03,707
one of the most progressive
articulations of the
582
00:34:03,708 --> 00:34:08,278
principles of freedom
and human dignity on the
583
00:34:08,279 --> 00:34:14,919
continent -- that signals,
I think, a very positive
584
00:34:14,919 --> 00:34:18,059
direction in where
Kenya is moving.
585
00:34:21,325 --> 00:34:24,565
President Kenyatta, during
our meeting, acknowledged
586
00:34:24,562 --> 00:34:28,132
that there's still
more work to be done.
587
00:34:28,132 --> 00:34:34,142
And our goal in dealing with
all our partners is to be
588
00:34:39,544 --> 00:34:43,884
respectful, to recognize
that ultimately sovereign
589
00:34:43,881 --> 00:34:46,881
countries have to make their
own determinations about
590
00:34:46,884 --> 00:34:50,554
their destiny, but to be
very clear about the values
591
00:34:50,555 --> 00:34:51,555
we care about.
592
00:34:51,556 --> 00:34:54,856
And we can engage and
cooperate and work together,
593
00:34:54,859 --> 00:34:57,429
and occasionally disagree --
and that's not a rupture to
594
00:34:57,428 --> 00:35:00,968
the relationship; that's
just the nature of friends.
595
00:35:00,965 --> 00:35:02,965
There are going to be times
where we have disagreements.
596
00:35:02,967 --> 00:35:07,107
You just heard
one before this.
597
00:35:07,104 --> 00:35:11,814
And that is part of the
dialogue and the process
598
00:35:11,809 --> 00:35:17,219
that takes place
between friends.
599
00:35:17,215 --> 00:35:23,655
With respect to corruption,
I think it is absolutely the
600
00:35:25,890 --> 00:35:27,890
right thing to do for
President Kenyatta to
601
00:35:27,892 --> 00:35:30,762
emphasize this.
602
00:35:30,761 --> 00:35:36,771
And as I stated to him
during our meeting, this may
603
00:35:39,670 --> 00:35:46,380
be the biggest impediment to
Kenya growing even faster
604
00:35:46,377 --> 00:35:49,417
and more people having
even more opportunity.
605
00:35:51,916 --> 00:35:58,826
The fact that doing business
and ordinary people just
606
00:35:58,823 --> 00:36:05,633
moving along in their lives
here is constantly sapped by
607
00:36:05,630 --> 00:36:11,740
corruption at a high
level and at a low level.
608
00:36:11,736 --> 00:36:16,906
International businesses are
concerned if the price of
609
00:36:16,908 --> 00:36:20,848
investing in Kenya is 5
percent or 10 percent going
610
00:36:20,845 --> 00:36:24,285
to someplace that doesn't
have to do with the project.
611
00:36:24,282 --> 00:36:26,452
It's just a math issue.
612
00:36:26,450 --> 00:36:29,820
If they've got a plan for a
business, it's got a certain
613
00:36:29,820 --> 00:36:37,500
profit, and if suddenly some
of that is taken off the top
614
00:36:37,495 --> 00:36:40,535
due to corruption that
makes that investment
615
00:36:40,531 --> 00:36:43,331
less attractive.
616
00:36:43,334 --> 00:36:47,034
And that's the judgments
that they make.
617
00:36:47,038 --> 00:36:52,048
And then at a more
grassroots level, if you've
618
00:36:52,043 --> 00:36:54,043
got some small
businessperson trying to
619
00:36:54,045 --> 00:37:01,015
open up a store and they
find that they have to pay
620
00:37:01,018 --> 00:37:05,188
bribes here, there,
everywhere, just to get a
621
00:37:05,189 --> 00:37:07,329
business started, that's
inhibiting the kind of
622
00:37:07,325 --> 00:37:09,925
entrepreneurship that we
highlighted earlier
623
00:37:09,927 --> 00:37:11,927
this morning.
624
00:37:13,898 --> 00:37:19,208
And I think President
Kenyatta is serious about
625
00:37:19,203 --> 00:37:21,103
going after this.
626
00:37:21,105 --> 00:37:26,375
As I indicated to him, if
you look at the history of
627
00:37:26,377 --> 00:37:31,317
this -- because the United
States had, in the past, all
628
00:37:31,315 --> 00:37:37,525
kinds of corruption, dating
back to the founding
629
00:37:37,521 --> 00:37:39,761
of the country.
630
00:37:39,757 --> 00:37:45,827
My hometown of Chicago was
famous for Al Capone and
631
00:37:45,830 --> 00:37:51,200
bootleggers and bribery
and police on the take.
632
00:37:51,202 --> 00:37:56,372
But what we were able to
show is that over time, when
633
00:37:56,374 --> 00:37:59,814
people of integrity at the
highest levels say this is a
634
00:37:59,810 --> 00:38:03,480
priority, we're going to
stop this, and are willing
635
00:38:03,481 --> 00:38:06,181
to hold people at the
highest levels accountable
636
00:38:06,183 --> 00:38:11,253
and not just the small-time
corruption, that begins to
637
00:38:11,255 --> 00:38:13,255
change the culture.
638
00:38:14,625 --> 00:38:16,625
And it is important, I
think, for the people of
639
00:38:16,627 --> 00:38:18,827
Kenya to say this is not
the normal way of doing
640
00:38:18,829 --> 00:38:23,999
business, and to say no
to it at every level.
641
00:38:24,001 --> 00:38:26,771
And that will require
some change in habits.
642
00:38:26,771 --> 00:38:30,111
I mentioned sometimes civil
servants, they don't feel
643
00:38:30,107 --> 00:38:32,807
like their salaries are high
enough and they think that,
644
00:38:32,810 --> 00:38:34,810
ah, it's just the way of
doing business; I supplement
645
00:38:34,812 --> 00:38:39,922
my salary by imposing my own
personal little tax to boost
646
00:38:39,917 --> 00:38:41,117
my salary.
647
00:38:41,118 --> 00:38:42,718
And then that suddenly
becomes commonplace in a
648
00:38:42,720 --> 00:38:45,260
department or a bureaucracy.
649
00:38:45,256 --> 00:38:46,756
And you have to
reverse that.
650
00:38:46,757 --> 00:38:50,457
And that may mean making
sure that police officers or
651
00:38:50,461 --> 00:38:52,731
civil servants are paid
properly and that they have
652
00:38:52,730 --> 00:38:55,100
sufficient benefits that
they don't feel obliged to
653
00:38:55,099 --> 00:38:56,999
do that.
654
00:38:57,001 --> 00:38:59,401
But some of it is also just
breaking these habits and
655
00:38:59,403 --> 00:39:00,543
saying no.
656
00:39:00,538 --> 00:39:03,308
And that comes from the top.
657
00:39:03,307 --> 00:39:07,177
And so I very much applaud
President Kenyatta for
658
00:39:07,178 --> 00:39:09,378
initiating this campaign.
659
00:39:09,380 --> 00:39:12,680
It's going to require the
support of the Kenyan
660
00:39:12,683 --> 00:39:17,793
people, and it's going
to require some
661
00:39:17,788 --> 00:39:20,988
visible prosecutions.
662
00:39:20,991 --> 00:39:24,191
Because I mentioned to him
-- people aren't stupid.
663
00:39:24,195 --> 00:39:28,195
If they see an elected
official and they know that
664
00:39:28,199 --> 00:39:31,439
their salary is there, and
suddenly they're driving
665
00:39:31,435 --> 00:39:36,605
through town in a very big
car, and they see their
666
00:39:36,607 --> 00:39:39,947
cousin driving through town
with a very big car, and
667
00:39:39,944 --> 00:39:42,814
they're suddenly building
a new house, and all that
668
00:39:42,813 --> 00:39:46,713
doesn't seem to match up
with their salary, they
669
00:39:46,717 --> 00:39:48,987
don't have to be a forensic
accountant to know what's
670
00:39:48,986 --> 00:39:49,986
going on.
671
00:39:49,987 --> 00:39:56,657
And so when that happens,
people have to be held
672
00:39:56,660 --> 00:39:57,660
into account.
673
00:39:57,661 --> 00:40:03,231
And the ideal that the
President is putting forward
674
00:40:03,234 --> 00:40:04,564
is the right one.
675
00:40:04,568 --> 00:40:06,508
And now it's up
to execution.
676
00:40:06,504 --> 00:40:08,604
And that won't be just the
President's job alone; it
677
00:40:08,606 --> 00:40:12,876
will be the job of
leadership both locally as
678
00:40:12,877 --> 00:40:13,877
well as nationally.
679
00:40:13,878 --> 00:40:20,548
President Kenyatta: I think
mine was with regard to
680
00:40:20,551 --> 00:40:21,551
looking east.
681
00:40:21,552 --> 00:40:25,892
And the first thing I want
to say is that I couldn't
682
00:40:25,890 --> 00:40:28,130
agree more.
683
00:40:28,125 --> 00:40:30,295
We're not talking about a
renewal; we're talking about
684
00:40:30,294 --> 00:40:31,394
a deepening.
685
00:40:31,395 --> 00:40:34,565
The United States, from the
time of our independence,
686
00:40:34,565 --> 00:40:36,735
has been a very strong
partner and ally.
687
00:40:36,734 --> 00:40:41,104
Kenya has benefitted from
AGOA, benefitted heavily in
688
00:40:41,105 --> 00:40:44,405
our health sector, in
education all these years.
689
00:40:44,408 --> 00:40:45,408
And that has never stopped.
690
00:40:45,409 --> 00:40:48,609
It's been continuous
and ongoing.
691
00:40:48,612 --> 00:40:52,052
The key point is what I said
when we were opening the
692
00:40:52,049 --> 00:40:56,189
summit this morning, and
the fact is that Kenya is a
693
00:40:56,187 --> 00:40:58,957
country that's not
looking east or west.
694
00:40:58,956 --> 00:41:01,496
What we're looking to do
is to make progress; is to
695
00:41:01,492 --> 00:41:03,992
develop our country; is to
bring prosperity; is to
696
00:41:03,994 --> 00:41:04,994
build infrastructure.
697
00:41:04,995 --> 00:41:07,895
And we are looking to
partner with our friends,
698
00:41:07,898 --> 00:41:14,168
old and new, to help us
achieve the Kenyan dream --
699
00:41:14,171 --> 00:41:16,911
to help us achieve our
social-economic agenda.
700
00:41:16,907 --> 00:41:17,907
And the U.S.
701
00:41:17,908 --> 00:41:21,548
happens to be a very strong
partner of Kenya in that
702
00:41:21,545 --> 00:41:24,815
objective -- as are many
other countries in the world.
703
00:41:24,815 --> 00:41:29,555
So I see no conflict,
no contradiction.
704
00:41:29,553 --> 00:41:32,653
Actually, I just see
deepening of partnerships
705
00:41:32,656 --> 00:41:37,126
that already existed, all
with the objective of
706
00:41:37,127 --> 00:41:41,537
improving business for
Kenyans, for the U.S.,
707
00:41:41,532 --> 00:41:45,002
improving the social life of
Kenyans, and deepening our
708
00:41:45,002 --> 00:41:47,102
people-to-people
partnership, as well,
709
00:41:47,104 --> 00:41:48,774
through trade
and investment.
710
00:41:48,772 --> 00:41:51,442
So there is no
contradiction whatsoever.
711
00:41:51,442 --> 00:41:55,112
We are just strengthening
already good relations that
712
00:41:55,112 --> 00:41:57,112
exist between our
two countries.
713
00:41:57,114 --> 00:41:58,114
President Obama:
Juliet Eilperin.
714
00:41:58,115 --> 00:42:02,725
Audience Member: Thanks.
715
00:42:02,720 --> 00:42:05,160
President Obama, while
you've launched multiple
716
00:42:05,155 --> 00:42:07,525
policy initiatives on
Africa, it is unclear
717
00:42:07,524 --> 00:42:10,164
whether any of them will
outlast your presidency.
718
00:42:10,160 --> 00:42:12,600
What do you think needs to
happen to ensure you have an
719
00:42:12,596 --> 00:42:16,496
Africa policy legacy as
enduring as those of
720
00:42:16,500 --> 00:42:18,940
Presidents Bush and Clinton?
721
00:42:18,936 --> 00:42:20,906
And to what extent do
you think you've met the
722
00:42:20,905 --> 00:42:24,775
expectations people here had
of you as a son of Africa?
723
00:42:24,775 --> 00:42:27,015
And speaking of your African
roots, what did you talk
724
00:42:27,011 --> 00:42:29,651
about at dinner last night
with roughly three dozen of
725
00:42:29,647 --> 00:42:30,847
your relatives?
726
00:42:30,848 --> 00:42:33,448
And had you met
all of them before?
727
00:42:33,450 --> 00:42:35,450
And then I have a question
for President Kenyatta, as well.
728
00:42:37,721 --> 00:42:40,391
President Kenyatta, could
you spell out in concrete
729
00:42:40,391 --> 00:42:43,191
terms what's different in
Kenya today because of
730
00:42:43,193 --> 00:42:46,933
President Obama's election,
how his connection to Kenya
731
00:42:46,931 --> 00:42:50,301
has shaped your discussions
today, and what aspects of
732
00:42:50,301 --> 00:42:53,441
his Africa policy do you
think will endure after he's
733
00:42:53,437 --> 00:42:54,367
left office?
734
00:42:54,371 --> 00:43:00,681
Thank you.
735
00:43:00,678 --> 00:43:03,078
President Obama: Let me,
first of all, underscore
736
00:43:06,183 --> 00:43:12,523
that I am really proud of
the work that previous
737
00:43:12,523 --> 00:43:18,063
administrations did here
in Africa, and I've done
738
00:43:18,062 --> 00:43:22,902
everything I could to
build on those successes.
739
00:43:22,900 --> 00:43:25,340
This isn't a beauty contest
between Presidents; this is
740
00:43:25,336 --> 00:43:26,336
the U.S.
741
00:43:26,337 --> 00:43:28,337
government and whatever the
policies that need to be put
742
00:43:28,339 --> 00:43:33,109
in place in order for us to
help our partner countries.
743
00:43:35,212 --> 00:43:39,752
I've said before, and I'll
repeat -- I think President
744
00:43:39,750 --> 00:43:45,690
George W. Bush's PEPFAR initiative was as significant an
745
00:43:45,689 --> 00:43:51,329
achievement internationally
as anything that we've done
746
00:43:51,328 --> 00:43:52,828
over the last
several decades.
747
00:43:52,830 --> 00:43:56,570
It saved millions of lives
-- which is why I've
748
00:43:56,567 --> 00:44:00,207
increased funding
substantially for PEPFAR
749
00:44:00,204 --> 00:44:02,674
during the course of my
presidency, and continue to
750
00:44:02,673 --> 00:44:09,513
build on what was initially
a matter of just getting
751
00:44:09,513 --> 00:44:15,883
antivirals and treatment for
HIV, and are now building
752
00:44:15,886 --> 00:44:19,956
greater capacity within
those countries that have
753
00:44:19,957 --> 00:44:23,997
received PEPFAR funding so
that they can do even more
754
00:44:23,994 --> 00:44:26,834
themselves in terms of their
health care infrastructure.
755
00:44:26,830 --> 00:44:33,100
So the bottom line is, I
want to build on what's
756
00:44:33,103 --> 00:44:37,043
already been done, and then
we want to fill gaps that
757
00:44:37,041 --> 00:44:39,611
still need to be filled.
758
00:44:39,610 --> 00:44:44,450
Along those lines, if you
look at our Feed the Future
759
00:44:44,448 --> 00:44:49,088
program, for example, we've
got millions of farmers
760
00:44:49,086 --> 00:44:53,796
across this continent who,
as we speak, have benefitted
761
00:44:53,791 --> 00:44:58,691
from increased yields,
increased incomes, greater
762
00:44:58,695 --> 00:45:02,565
access to small loans
that are making them more
763
00:45:02,566 --> 00:45:05,666
productive, greater access
to market, linking up with
764
00:45:05,669 --> 00:45:10,739
technology in ways that
assure that they get a fair
765
00:45:10,741 --> 00:45:14,341
price -- all of which,
since Africa is still
766
00:45:14,344 --> 00:45:18,214
disproportionately rural,
is increasing incomes and
767
00:45:18,215 --> 00:45:21,085
spurring growth and building
a middle class in the
768
00:45:21,085 --> 00:45:23,055
entire continent.
769
00:45:23,053 --> 00:45:26,853
And we can document the
extraordinary progress
770
00:45:26,857 --> 00:45:29,197
that's been made there, and
it is a model that's working
771
00:45:31,395 --> 00:45:35,295
and then has been
supplemented with private
772
00:45:35,299 --> 00:45:40,869
sector investments that
is further advancing the
773
00:45:40,871 --> 00:45:43,071
development of a more
productive agricultural
774
00:45:43,073 --> 00:45:45,743
sector across the
African continent.
775
00:45:45,742 --> 00:45:50,752
With respect to Power
Africa, which was just
776
00:45:50,747 --> 00:45:56,757
launched a couple years ago,
we set initially a goal of
777
00:46:00,457 --> 00:46:05,027
10,000 megawatts of
electricity being generated
778
00:46:05,028 --> 00:46:06,668
in sub-Saharan Africa.
779
00:46:06,663 --> 00:46:09,033
We were sufficiently
successful in lining up
780
00:46:09,032 --> 00:46:11,672
interest and investments
that we've now tripled that
781
00:46:11,668 --> 00:46:13,638
and set a goal of 30,000.
782
00:46:13,637 --> 00:46:18,277
And we're on our way to
achieving that goal.
783
00:46:18,275 --> 00:46:21,275
We are well on track.
784
00:46:21,278 --> 00:46:24,148
I noted that there was
an article in a U.S.
785
00:46:24,148 --> 00:46:26,848
publication suggesting,
well, there's no electricity
786
00:46:26,850 --> 00:46:33,020
being generated
from this yet.
787
00:46:33,023 --> 00:46:36,863
The next time somebody
is interested in how
788
00:46:36,860 --> 00:46:39,160
electricity gets generated,
go back home and find out
789
00:46:39,163 --> 00:46:41,163
how long it takes to
build a power plant.
790
00:46:41,165 --> 00:46:45,705
I mean, sometimes these are
long-term projects, but we
791
00:46:45,702 --> 00:46:50,342
have billions of dollars of
transactions already locked
792
00:46:50,340 --> 00:46:55,280
in, and billions
more in the pipeline.
793
00:46:55,279 --> 00:47:00,189
And that is just on the
traditional power grid side.
794
00:47:00,184 --> 00:47:04,154
That doesn't include all
the innovative, off-grid
795
00:47:04,154 --> 00:47:08,724
electrical -- or power
generation that we witnessed
796
00:47:08,725 --> 00:47:12,795
just in those booths that
we were passing at the
797
00:47:12,796 --> 00:47:18,306
entrepreneurship summit,
using solar and other --
798
00:47:18,302 --> 00:47:21,572
bio-tech and other
innovative ways to generate
799
00:47:21,572 --> 00:47:25,242
power in rural communities
that are not going to be
800
00:47:25,242 --> 00:47:27,712
connected to the
grid anytime soon.
801
00:47:29,913 --> 00:47:37,353
So that's just two examples
of initiatives that I'm
802
00:47:37,354 --> 00:47:42,594
confident will have a
lasting effect, not because
803
00:47:42,593 --> 00:47:47,863
they were initiated by me,
but because they fill an
804
00:47:47,864 --> 00:47:49,864
extraordinary need.
805
00:47:53,604 --> 00:47:57,544
If we can get sub-Saharan
Africa to be electrified at
806
00:47:57,541 --> 00:48:03,551
the same levels as Asia is,
that alone is going to drive
807
00:48:07,884 --> 00:48:10,324
economic growth
exponentially.
808
00:48:10,320 --> 00:48:14,160
I mean, the productivity
that is delivered as a
809
00:48:14,157 --> 00:48:17,527
consequence of just access
to power -- kids suddenly
810
00:48:17,527 --> 00:48:22,597
being able to read and do
their homework at night;
811
00:48:22,599 --> 00:48:26,939
women relieved of some of
the burdens of collecting
812
00:48:26,937 --> 00:48:32,947
firewood and how they are
able to use basic appliances
813
00:48:35,545 --> 00:48:40,285
that we take for granted;
farmers being able to
814
00:48:40,284 --> 00:48:45,424
improve their yields
-- it's a game-changer.
815
00:48:45,422 --> 00:48:53,402
But we're not going to know
exactly what that looks like
816
00:48:53,397 --> 00:48:55,567
10 years from now.
817
00:48:55,565 --> 00:48:59,005
And I suspect that the next
President, building off of
818
00:48:59,002 --> 00:49:02,102
what we've already set up,
will learn what's working
819
00:49:02,105 --> 00:49:04,105
really well and what's not
working so well, and make
820
00:49:04,107 --> 00:49:05,277
some tweaks.
821
00:49:05,275 --> 00:49:08,845
And I don't have
pride of authorship.
822
00:49:08,845 --> 00:49:12,215
I hope that they figure out
even better ways for us to
823
00:49:14,551 --> 00:49:16,821
continue the things that
we've started just as we, I
824
00:49:16,820 --> 00:49:20,820
think, have refined and
improved the excellent work
825
00:49:20,824 --> 00:49:25,494
that was done by Presidents
Clinton and Presidents Bush.
826
00:49:25,495 --> 00:49:27,495
In terms of what I was
talking about with my
827
00:49:27,497 --> 00:49:31,067
family, mostly we
were just catching up.
828
00:49:31,068 --> 00:49:37,078
There's more immediate
family that I had known well
829
00:49:39,443 --> 00:49:40,813
from previous visits.
830
00:49:40,811 --> 00:49:45,511
There was some more extended
family that I had not
831
00:49:45,515 --> 00:49:48,285
met before.
832
00:49:48,285 --> 00:49:52,355
My sister, Auma, who I'm
very close to and stay in
833
00:49:52,356 --> 00:49:57,666
close contact with, I think
helped to make sure that
834
00:49:57,661 --> 00:50:00,661
everybody was represented.
835
00:50:00,664 --> 00:50:08,304
I think the people of Kenya
will be familiar with the
836
00:50:08,305 --> 00:50:12,005
need to manage family
politics sometimes.
837
00:50:12,008 --> 00:50:13,008
(laughter)
838
00:50:13,009 --> 00:50:17,849
In these extended families,
there are cousins and uncles
839
00:50:17,848 --> 00:50:22,318
and aunties that show
up that you didn't know
840
00:50:22,319 --> 00:50:29,089
existed, but you're
always happy to meet.
841
00:50:29,092 --> 00:50:32,162
And there were lengthy
explanations, in some cases,
842
00:50:32,162 --> 00:50:32,832
of the connections.
843
00:50:32,829 --> 00:50:35,499
(laughter)
844
00:50:35,499 --> 00:50:39,599
But it was a wonderful time.
845
00:50:39,603 --> 00:50:43,373
Part of the challenge that
I've had during the course
846
00:50:43,373 --> 00:50:48,113
of my presidency is that,
given the demands of the job
847
00:50:48,111 --> 00:50:54,121
and the bubble, I can't come
here and just go upcountry
848
00:50:58,054 --> 00:51:05,064
and visit for a week
and meet everybody.
849
00:51:05,061 --> 00:51:09,471
That's partly, actually,
what I had to explain was --
850
00:51:09,466 --> 00:51:13,306
begging for forgiveness --
that once I'm a private
851
00:51:13,303 --> 00:51:20,643
citizen, I will have more
freedom to reconnect and to
852
00:51:20,644 --> 00:51:23,714
be involved and engaged in
some of the work that needs
853
00:51:23,713 --> 00:51:25,913
to be done -- because some
of these communities are
854
00:51:25,916 --> 00:51:27,756
very poor.
855
00:51:27,751 --> 00:51:33,691
I'm more restricted,
ironically, as President of
856
00:51:33,690 --> 00:51:38,500
the United States than I
will be as a private citizen
857
00:51:38,495 --> 00:51:42,795
in terms of some of the
hands-on and direct help
858
00:51:42,799 --> 00:51:45,239
that I'd like to give --
partly just because of
859
00:51:45,235 --> 00:51:51,245
schedule, but partly also
because of making sure that
860
00:51:53,343 --> 00:51:55,743
in my relationship to Kenya
I am understood to be
861
00:51:55,745 --> 00:51:59,745
operating as the President
of the United States, and
862
00:51:59,749 --> 00:52:02,689
that my interaction is with
the government and the
863
00:52:02,686 --> 00:52:07,496
non-for-profits and the
organizations that represent
864
00:52:07,491 --> 00:52:10,131
all the people of any
particular country.
865
00:52:10,126 --> 00:52:16,136
President Kenyatta: There's
one area -- and it's not
866
00:52:18,902 --> 00:52:21,772
specifically African,
because I think all the
867
00:52:21,771 --> 00:52:26,381
initiatives he's mentioned
we're all happy and proud of
868
00:52:26,376 --> 00:52:28,676
-- but the one initiative
that I would really want to
869
00:52:28,678 --> 00:52:32,218
focus on is the fact that I
think President Obama will
870
00:52:32,215 --> 00:52:37,125
strongly be remembered in
Africa for his focus on the
871
00:52:37,120 --> 00:52:41,160
youth of this continent; the
focus on the young people of
872
00:52:41,157 --> 00:52:47,827
this continent to be able to
extract their talents,
873
00:52:47,831 --> 00:52:49,631
their abilities.
874
00:52:49,633 --> 00:52:52,333
And he's been very focused
on this both with the Young
875
00:52:52,335 --> 00:52:55,575
Leaders initiative, with the
GES that we've just been
876
00:52:55,572 --> 00:53:02,982
attending -- really helping
us unblock the full
877
00:53:02,979 --> 00:53:08,289
potential of Africa's youth
and young men and women.
878
00:53:08,285 --> 00:53:11,385
So this, I think, will
be the key legacy that
879
00:53:11,388 --> 00:53:13,958
President Obama will be
remembered for on this
880
00:53:13,957 --> 00:53:17,027
continent for a
long time to come.
881
00:53:17,027 --> 00:53:21,167
That's said, Judy --
or Jackie, rather.
882
00:53:21,164 --> 00:53:26,134
Audience Member: President
Obama, and President
883
00:53:26,136 --> 00:53:29,476
Kenyatta, you spoke
about direct flights.
884
00:53:29,472 --> 00:53:31,572
Are you working on that
to launch them as soon
885
00:53:31,575 --> 00:53:32,575
as possible?
886
00:53:32,576 --> 00:53:33,576
How soon?
887
00:53:33,577 --> 00:53:34,807
If soon, can we know that?
888
00:53:34,811 --> 00:53:36,781
And, President
Obama, the U.S.
889
00:53:36,780 --> 00:53:39,880
has been issuing travel
advisories against Kenya.
890
00:53:39,883 --> 00:53:42,623
This has had a devastating
effect on its tourism.
891
00:53:42,619 --> 00:53:44,359
It's the second
foreign exchange.
892
00:53:44,354 --> 00:53:45,594
And is the U.S.
893
00:53:45,589 --> 00:53:47,589
planning to take
it easy on that?
894
00:53:47,591 --> 00:53:50,931
And finally, what are your
personal plans for Kenya
895
00:53:50,927 --> 00:53:53,867
after your presidency?
896
00:53:57,133 --> 00:53:59,703
President Obama: With
respect to direct flights,
897
00:53:59,703 --> 00:54:03,043
there are very specific
protocols and security
898
00:54:03,039 --> 00:54:07,279
issues that have to be
worked through and sorted out.
899
00:54:07,277 --> 00:54:12,487
We sent representatives
of our Department of
900
00:54:12,482 --> 00:54:14,952
Transportation and Homeland
Security to work with
901
00:54:14,951 --> 00:54:16,291
Kenyan officials.
902
00:54:16,286 --> 00:54:18,756
I think real progress
has been made.
903
00:54:18,755 --> 00:54:22,655
I don't have a date certain
in front of me, and I
904
00:54:22,659 --> 00:54:28,929
wouldn't want to make a
guess and then if we're late
905
00:54:28,932 --> 00:54:31,472
you'll call me
and say, you lied.
906
00:54:31,468 --> 00:54:33,908
(laughter)
907
00:54:33,903 --> 00:54:42,013
But I think that -- I
anticipate that if we can
908
00:54:42,012 --> 00:54:46,612
get all the issues squared
away that this is something
909
00:54:46,616 --> 00:54:51,956
that has great potential
and obviously would have a
910
00:54:51,955 --> 00:54:54,325
beneficial impact on U.S.
911
00:54:54,324 --> 00:55:00,294
travel to Kenya -- both for
business and for tourism.
912
00:55:00,296 --> 00:55:04,906
With respect to the travel
advisories, this is not
913
00:55:04,901 --> 00:55:08,101
something that
I meddle with.
914
00:55:08,104 --> 00:55:12,104
This is something that our
State Department and our
915
00:55:12,108 --> 00:55:15,008
intelligence communities
make assessments on.
916
00:55:17,080 --> 00:55:21,820
They are provided in part
for our embassy staff and
917
00:55:21,818 --> 00:55:28,928
personnel so that they can
be mindful of circumstances.
918
00:55:28,925 --> 00:55:31,695
But we are bound to also
then provide the general
919
00:55:31,695 --> 00:55:34,365
public protection -- or the
same information that we
920
00:55:34,364 --> 00:55:38,234
provide our teams on the
ground, for
921
00:55:38,234 --> 00:55:39,934
understandable reasons.
922
00:55:39,936 --> 00:55:44,306
I think the general public
would be disturbed if we
923
00:55:44,307 --> 00:55:48,307
were saying one thing to
folks who are working here
924
00:55:48,311 --> 00:55:51,181
and another thing to an
ordinary tourist who
925
00:55:51,181 --> 00:55:52,381
was traveling.
926
00:55:52,382 --> 00:55:58,352
I recognize the concerns and
I do think that despite the
927
00:56:00,623 --> 00:56:06,033
seriousness of the terrorist
threat posed by al-Shabaab,
928
00:56:06,029 --> 00:56:11,099
that -- in part because of
media attention probably
929
00:56:11,101 --> 00:56:16,841
even more than travel
advisories -- that threat
930
00:56:16,840 --> 00:56:18,880
can oftentimes
be exaggerated.
931
00:56:18,875 --> 00:56:24,045
And that's unfortunate.
932
00:56:24,047 --> 00:56:27,587
And part of my answer I
guess to that problem is to
933
00:56:27,584 --> 00:56:31,454
come here and visit, and
to show this extraordinary
934
00:56:31,454 --> 00:56:33,994
country and the
extraordinary progress
935
00:56:33,990 --> 00:56:34,990
that's been made.
936
00:56:34,991 --> 00:56:40,131
But the specifics around
travel advisories -- those
937
00:56:40,130 --> 00:56:43,600
are a judgment call that
are made by our experts.
938
00:56:43,600 --> 00:56:45,840
It's not something
that I weigh in on.
939
00:56:45,835 --> 00:56:52,745
It's not something that
is subject to political
940
00:56:52,742 --> 00:56:54,212
decision-making.
941
00:56:54,210 --> 00:56:58,980
And my solemn goal is to
make sure that we are
942
00:56:58,982 --> 00:57:04,252
working urgently with
President Kenyatta and the
943
00:57:04,254 --> 00:57:07,194
administration so that
there's no need for the
944
00:57:07,190 --> 00:57:11,760
advisory because we will
have greatly reduced
945
00:57:11,761 --> 00:57:15,231
these threats.
946
00:57:15,231 --> 00:57:18,831
And there may be ways in
which we can refine them so
947
00:57:18,835 --> 00:57:26,915
that, for example, traveling
to game parks may be
948
00:57:26,910 --> 00:57:30,780
different than being in
other circumstances.
949
00:57:30,780 --> 00:57:34,180
And that's something that
we can always discuss and
950
00:57:34,184 --> 00:57:37,384
explore at a staff level.
951
00:57:37,387 --> 00:57:39,387
Oh, did I -- there was a
third question -- what are
952
00:57:39,389 --> 00:57:40,389
my plans?
953
00:57:40,390 --> 00:57:47,300
Well, here's what
I can guarantee.
954
00:57:47,297 --> 00:57:49,697
I'll be back.
955
00:57:49,699 --> 00:57:52,539
The next time I'm back I
may not be wearing a suit.
956
00:57:52,535 --> 00:57:55,205
(laughter)
957
00:57:55,205 --> 00:58:01,045
The first time I came here I
was in jeans and a backpack.
958
00:58:01,044 --> 00:58:06,854
And one of the challenges of
traveling and visiting Kenya
959
00:58:06,850 --> 00:58:12,060
is that I'm much more
constrained now than I will be.
960
00:58:12,055 --> 00:58:15,955
And I think that you can
anticipate not only me being
961
00:58:15,959 --> 00:58:17,959
back, but probably more
important for everybody,
962
00:58:17,961 --> 00:58:23,831
Michelle being back, and
Malia and Sasha coming back,
963
00:58:23,833 --> 00:58:25,973
because they have a great
love for this country and
964
00:58:25,969 --> 00:58:27,909
its people and its beauty.
965
00:58:27,904 --> 00:58:29,904
And obviously I've got
family connections.
966
00:58:29,906 --> 00:58:35,676
And my hope is that some of
the philanthropic work that
967
00:58:35,678 --> 00:58:41,588
I do after my presidency is
over builds on some of the
968
00:58:41,584 --> 00:58:43,584
things that we've
been doing now.
969
00:58:43,586 --> 00:58:45,586
I'm not going to stop being
interested in the young
970
00:58:45,588 --> 00:58:47,588
people of Kenya and the
young people of Africa, and
971
00:58:47,590 --> 00:58:49,830
developing the talent and
the leaders -- talented
972
00:58:49,826 --> 00:58:54,426
leaders and entrepreneurs
that are going to help make
973
00:58:54,430 --> 00:58:56,130
this country and
the world prosper.
974
00:58:56,132 --> 00:59:00,772
And so you can anticipate
that I'll continue to make
975
00:59:00,770 --> 00:59:02,770
those contributions
where I can.
976
00:59:05,375 --> 00:59:07,315
All right?
977
00:59:07,310 --> 00:59:08,240
Thank you very
much, everybody.
978
00:59:08,244 --> 00:59:09,114
Asante sana.
979
00:59:09,112 --> 00:59:11,312
(applause)
