Obama cites Kenya in Aids Day speech

New York, Tuesday

President-elect Barack Obama singled out efforts in Kenya, his father’s homeland, in a speech yesterday praising progress in the world’s response to the Aids epidemic.

Addressing religious leaders gathered in Washington on World Aids Day, Mr Obama said “today, because of the work of people like you, women in Kenya who were widowed by the disease, and once shunned by society, have banded together to support and empower each other.”

The incoming American president also promised to continue a $15 billion US programme that has delivered treatments to millions of Aids patients in Kenya and other African nations.

“I salute President Bush for his leadership in crafting a plan for Aids relief in Africa and backing it up with funding dedicated to saving lives and preventing the spread of the disease,” Mr Obama said in remarks videotaped in Chicago.

The president-elect noted that he was speaking on the 20th World Aids Day.

Since 1988, he said, the world has moved from “widespread ignorance and fear” to compassion for those affected and to a commitment to eradicating the disease.