Obama Promises To Tackle Key Issues Affecting Kenya During His Visit

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US president Barack Obama  has vowed to talk about the major issues facing Kenya during his much anticipated trip scheduled for July 24, 2015.
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Obama is expected to grace the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. The forum has already attracted more than 3,000 invited business gurus and top leaders.
Speaking ahead of the visit, the US president highlighted some of the main issues he will handle when in Kenya.

1.Insecurity

Kenya has been a major target by the outlawed militia group, the al Shabaab. In 2011, the Kenyan government deployed Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to join African Union Mission in Somalia to intensify the fight against the terror group.
READ ALSO: KDF & Al Shabaab Die In Gun Battle
Since then, the al Shabaab group has carried out frequent attacks in Kenya. The latest major attack was the Garissa university killings that claimed 147 lives.

Obama through a press release issued on Wednesday, June 14, 2015 said the two countries will work together to get a solution. “We can focus on counterterrorism issues that are important in East Africa because of Al-Shabaab and some of the tragedies that have happened inside of Kenya.”

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2.Corruption, Democracy

The corruption scandals in Kenya have hit headlines with senior government officials accused of swindling millions from the government.
In a latest report presented to parliament by Edward Ouko, general auditor, Ann Waiguru, the cabinet secretary, incharge of devolution and planning. The CS has failed to account for KSh 8 billion. Waiguru does not have any supporting document to prove how her ministry used the funds.
Waiguru is also facing criticism from the official opposition party to step aside. The CS is accused of corruption after the ministry’s system was hacked leading to a loss of KSh 695.4 million.
Obama also said that during his visit, he will talk about corruption and democracy.

“We will hopefully continue to encourage democracy and the reduction of corruption inside that country that sometimes has held back this incredibly gifted and blessed country.”

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3. Education, Health

The US president is expected to talk about the education and health issues affecting the nation. The health sector has been hit by shortage of workers with majority of them seeking greener pastures outside the borders.
It is reported that the industry offers health practitioners poor remuneration.
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In the education sector, teachers and the government are brushing shoulders over salary increment.There are other major issues affecting the industry that will be addressed by the president.

Obama said,“We can build on the progress that’s been made around issues of health and education.”