Barack Obama's First Presidential Visit to Kenya

Barack Obama arrived in Kenya, his father's homeland, on Friday, August 2, marking his first visit as President of the United States. The expansion of trade and security cooperation between the two countries is cited as one of the main objectives of the U.S. President's trip to Kenya. Obama's plane landed at Nairobi's airport, where he was welcomed by his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta, as soon as he descended the steps. According to Reuters, before traveling to Ethiopia, another African country, Obama will participate in a conference in Kenya aimed at encouraging entrepreneurs to invest in the continent. Kenyan police and security forces have implemented strict measures in the capital to ensure the safety of the U.S. President. Many people celebrated Obama's presence in the country by taking to the streets and dancing. Barack Obama's father was born in Kenya, making him the first African-American president in U.S. history. Kenya is an ally of the U.S. in the fight against extremist Islamist groups, particularly Al-Shabaab in Somalia, which has caused numerous casualties among Kenyan citizens and security forces in recent years. During his visit to Kenya, the U.S. President will also hold discussions with the country's leaders and preside over a global entrepreneurship summit. Obama will also pay tribute to the victims of the bombing of the U.S. embassy in Nairobi in 1998. The last time Obama visited Kenya was in 2006 when he was a senator. It is unlikely that the U.S. President will visit the village where his family members reside and where his father is buried during this trip.