2013 Obama's Message to the People of Kenya February 5, 2013

Habari yenu.  Over the years, I have been greatly moved by the warmth
and spirit - the strength and resolve - of the Kenyan people. And I've
been grateful for my connection to Kenya, and the way you've welcomed
me and my family to your beautiful country - from my father's village
in Alego, to bustling Nairobi.

In my visits, I've seen your progress. Kenya has lifted people from
poverty, built an emerging democracy and civil society, and sustained
a spirit of hope in the face of great difficulty. After the turmoil of
five years ago, you've worked to rebuild communities, reform
institutions and pass a new constitution.

Now, Kenya must take the next step in March, with the first national
elections under your new constitution.

We all know what makes for successful elections. Kenya must reject
intimidation and violence, and allow a free and fair vote. Kenyans
must resolve disputes in the courts, not in the streets. Above all,
the people of Kenya must come together, before and after the election,
to carry on the work of building your country.

The choice of who will lead Kenya is up to the Kenyan people. The
United States does not endorse any candidate for office, but we do
support an election that is peaceful and reflects the will of the
people.

This election can be another milestone toward a truly democratic Kenya
defined by the rule of law and strong institutions. If you take that
step, and reject a path of violence and division, then Kenya can move
forward towards prosperity and opportunity that unleashes the
extraordinary talents of your people - especially young people. If you
continue to move forward, you can build a just Kenya that rejects
corruption, and respects the rights and dignity of all Kenyans.

This is a moment for the people of Kenya to come together, instead of
tearing apart. If you do, you can show the world that you are not just
a member of a tribe or ethnic group, but citizens of a great and proud
nation. I can't imagine a better way to mark the 50th anniversary of
Kenyan independence.  And I say to all of you who are willing to walk
this path of progress-you will continue to have a strong friend and
partner in the United States of America. Kwaheri



Kiswahili
Risala kwa Wananchi wa Kenya

Habari yako.  Kwa miaka mingi, nimeguswa  na  ukarimu na moyo - nguvu
na ukakamavu - wa watu wa Kenya.   Na ninashukuru kwa uhusiano wangu
na Kenya, na jinsi mlivyonikaribisha mimi na familia yangu katika nchi
yenu nzuri - kutoka Alego, kijiji cha baba yangu, mpaka Nairobi, mji
wa harakati nyingi.

Katika ziara zangu, nimeona maendeleo yenu.  Kenya imenyanyua watu
kutoka kwa umaskini, imejenga demokrasia inayoibuka na vyama vya
kijamii, na kudumisha moyo ya matumaini palipo na changamoto nyingi.
Baada ya msukosuko wa miaka mitano iliyopita, mmefanya bidii ya
kujenga upya jamii, kufanya mageuzi kwenye taasisi na kupitisha katiba
mpya.

Sasa, lazima Kenya ichukue hatua nyingine mwezi wa Machi, kwa uchaguzi
wa kwanza wa kitaifa chini ya katiba yenu mpya.

Sisi sote tunajua kinachofanikisha uchaguzi.  Lazima Kenya ikatae
vitisho na ghasia, na iruhusu kura huru na ya haki.  Lazima Wakenya
wasuluhishe migogoro mahakamani, sio barabarani.  Na zaidi ya hayo,
lazima wananchi wa Kenya waungane, kabla na baada ya uchaguzi, ili
kuendelea na kazi ya kujenga taifa.

Chaguo la nani atakayeongoza Kenya ni juu ya wananchi wa Kenya.
Amerika haiidhinishi mgombea uchaguzi yeyote, lakini tunaunga mkono
uchaguzi wa amani na ambao unaashiria matakwa ya wananchi.

Uchaguzi huu unaweza kuwa tukio jingine la ufanisi kwa nchi ya Kenya
iliyo na demokrasia halisi na inayoendeshwa kwa utawala wa kisheria na
taasisi zilizoimarika.  Mkichukua hatua hiyo, na kukataa mkondo wa
ghasia na mgawanyiko, basi, Kenya inaweza kusonga mbele na kupata
neema na nafasi zitakazokuza vipaji maalum vya wananchi wenu - hasa
vijana.  Mkiendelea kusonga mbele, mnaweza kujenga Kenya inayosimamia
usawa na inayokataa ufisadi, na huku ikiheshimu haki na hadhi ya
Wakenya wote.

Huu ni wakati wa wananchi wa Kenya kuungana pamoja, badala ya
kugawanyika.  Mkifanya hivyo, mnaonyesha dunia kwamba nyinyi si jamii
ya kikabila tu, bali wananchi wa taifa kuu na lenye fahari.  Siwezi
kufikiria njia bora ya kuadhimisha miaka 50 ya uhuru wa Kenya.  Na
ninawaambia nyinyi nyote mlioridhika kufuata njia hii ya maendeleo -
mtaendelea kuwa na rafiki na mshirika imara nchini Amerika.   Kwaheri.

Instructions for Video and Audio Links and Downloads

Video Links

English Only: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgmVLJXS2x4

English with Swahili subtitles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGW9mYAJ7G8

Video Downloads - Broadcast quality

For Broadcast Media Outlets, you can access the White House ftp using
any ftp client such as filezilla or cyberduck.  The credentials we
have provided you are:



HD mp4 download link on WH.gov

English: Patrick Kamotho Githinji Contesting for Central Ward Representative on NARC.

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