Economy

Obama coming to Nairobi for July entrepreneurship event

United States President Barack Obama will travel to Kenya later this year to attend a major entrepreneurship summit, US embassy officials said Monday.

The US Head of State will attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2015, a meeting for entrepreneurs in Africa and the world to be co-hosted by the Kenya Government in Nairobi, in July this year.

“His trip will build on the success of the August 2014 US-Africa Leaders’ Summit and continue our efforts to work with countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, to accelerate economic growth, strengthen democratic institutions and improve security,” the White House also said in a statement.

The event, last held in Morocco, is intended to connect “emerging entrepreneurs with leaders from business, international organizations and governments looking to support them.”

This will be Obama’s fourth visit to Africa during his two-term presidency, but the first time he is coming to Kenya, his father’s homeland.

During his third visit, in 2013 — a major multi-nation tour — Kenya was left off the itinerary over charges of international crimes facing President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto.

The International Criminal Court has since withdrawn charges against Mr Kenyatta.