Security and trade, not gay talk, key to Barack Obama tour

What you need to know:

  • Obama possesses information, sensibilities and sensitivities to know what to say to his hosts, when and how to say it.
  • So, if he addresses sexuality it will not be because of the US Supreme Court’s recent decision to make same-sex marriage an American right.

Kenya’s political heavyweights comprising Deputy President William Ruto, National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale and Speaker Justin Muturi, have deliberately tied US President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to same-sex relationships.

The drive appears primed to rally Jubilee’s religious base by linking Obama to Kenya’s gays and lesbians whom conservative clergy and faithful find anathema. But, it is ludicrous that Nairobi welcomes Obama and then portrays him as the sex transgressor-in-chief.

This personal and unprovoked assault rekindles the government’s discomfort with the man who cold-shouldered Jubilee’s top ticket in the 2013 General Election. Why else would Nairobi reduce the agenda of the first visit by a US president to same-sex affairs?

First, sex was not on the menu when Obama hosted African heads of state in Washington last August; trade and investment were. Second, Obama is a recent convert to the cause, having only embraced same gender relationships in 2012. Three, Obama is no fool.

If he were, he would not, as a junior African American senator, have become the US’ 44th President. Obama boasts substantial political talent. It is why he floored Democratic favourite Hillary Clinton and Republican war hero John McCain in 2008 and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in 2012.

Obama possesses information, sensibilities and sensitivities to know what to say to his hosts, when and how to say it. So, if he addresses sexuality it will not be because of the US Supreme Court’s recent decision to make same-sex marriage an American right.

It will more likely be because Kenya’s gays and lesbians will have petitioned him to address the criminalisation of their sexuality by the Penal Code. President Obama, however, knows he cannot legislate for Kenya nor export this newfound American right.

SUPREME LAW

Two, gays and lesbians are not canvassing for recognition because of Obama’s visit. They stick up for themselves. On their own, they went to court to demand registration of their lobby. Obama did not advise the three judges to rule that their association be registered.

This ruling is grounded in the Constitution, which states at Section 36 (1) that: “Every person has the right to freedom of association, which includes the right to form, join or participate in the activities of an association of any kind.”

So what should occupy Jubilee minds is not what Obama may say about gays and lesbians, but what to do about the supreme law because it gives the people they abominate the right to freedom of association.

Three, Jubilee should know the following about Obama’s visit. First, it is anchored to Africa’s role in the US’ National Defence Strategy (NSS). Second, it is grounded in the US’ agenda to lead the world.

Third, these are in tandem with its oft-repeated objective of strengthening democratic institutions; promoting and spurring economic growth, trade and investment; and advancing peace and security.

When the 2015 NSS was released, Canada’s Centre for Research on Globalisation, reported that the “most detailed strategy outlined is for the US’ hyper engagement with Africa, which is envisaged as having both economic and military components.”

Africa’s security concerns the US because if, for example, terrorists found a haven on the continent, they would attack American embassies, businesses or homeland itself. Therefore, Obama sees Africa through a US security and trade prism and not a gay sex matrix.

Now Western capitals cannot ignore Africa’s rising economic importance. A recent Economist Group study on global firms reported that 65 per cent of those surveyed planned to expand into Africa.
And, the study said that the final decision to invest or not depends on factors like security, economic policy and politics.

So what should exercise government apparatchiks is how Kenyan firms can benefit from Washington’s increasing interest in a rising Africa and how to best canvass for these benefits.

Jubilee should lead the way in figuring out how Obama can be made to commit money to Kenya’s security, infrastructure, health and education now that America has become the world’s largest producer of oil and, therefore, has extra funds.

Yes, corruption will be on Obama’s agenda, but not because a hamstrung opposition disparages Nairobi’s graft war. If Nairobi wants US dollars, Congress holds the strings to the purse and it ties taxpayer money to good governance and accountability.

Back to the beginning; long after Obama’s visit, our gays and lesbians will still be Nairobi’s — and not Washington’s — headache. They are Kenyan citizens; Obama is America’s President.

Opanga is a media consultant; [email protected]