Obama addresses human rights, ethnic divisions on final day of Kenya visit

1	On Saturday, Obama called on African nations to grant equal rights to gays and lesbians.
2	Homosexuality is illegal in many African nations, including Kenya, and South Africa is the only African country to permit gay marriage.
3	Obama addresses human rights, ethnic divisions on final day of Kenya visit On Saturday, Obama called on African nations to grant equal rights to gays and lesbians.
4	NAIROBI, Kenya - President Obama spoke out about corruption, ethnic divisions, terrorism and human rights in a rousing speech on his last day in Kenya on Sunday.
5	In a televised address to thousands at the Kasarani National Stadium, he encouraged Kenyans to "choose the path to progress" by fighting corruption and terrorism and by treating women and girls as equal citizens.
6	"Kenya has come so far in just my lifetime," he said.
7	"Kenya is at a crossroads, a moment filled with peril but enormous promise. Because of Kenya's progress, because of your potential, you can build your future right here, right now."
8	He called to an end to ethnic divisions and called corruption in the country a "cancer."
9	"Treating women and girls as second class citizens is a bad tradition, it's holding you back," he added.
10	Some Kenyans said they were pleased that Obama addressed human rights, ethnic divisions and equality.
11	But for many, seeing their "son" in person before his departure was the main thing - even if that meant climbing a tree.
12	"I should be seeing President Obama live today," said Collins Njehia, 28, a Nairobi resident camping outside the stadium before the U.S. leader's address.
13	"We've been denied access by security officers but I need to see him even if it means climbing a tree."
14	On the streets, locals lined up to see him pass by.
15	Some cheered, some ululated, some sang the national anthem with a twist - "Karibu Nyumbani (welcome home) Obama."
16	They said they wanted to see their "son," but understood why the visit had to be short.
17	"Obama is our son and we love him dearly," said Peninah Mwangi, a vegetable vendor in Nairobi.
18	"I want to make sure I see him today before he leaves. We wanted him to stay with us here for more days but his schedule can't allow him to do that."
19	Many Nairobi residents tried to get to the stadium to watch the event live after officials mounted a huge screen there for those who couldn't get inside.
20	But security measures that have all but locked down the capital's streets thwarted those efforts.
21	Some instead headed to bars and hotels to watch the event.
22	They were happy Obama addressed democracy and civil rights.
23	"This government will soon become dictator if some issues are not dealt with," said Erick Nyariyo, a resident in the capital.
24	"The government needs to control every institution in the country including independent bodies like electoral body so that they can rig election," he added.
25	The Kenyan government has consistently denied allegations of rigging elections.
26	In his address, Obama spoke about ethnic and tribal divisions and warned these would lead to further cracks in the country's unity.
27	"A politics that's based on only tribe and ethnicity is doomed to tear a country apart," he said.
28	"It is a failure - a failure of imagination."
29	Locals agreed.
30	"I was surprised that Obama knows everything about our country," said Martin Kiprotich, a local leader from western Kenya, who traveled from upcountry to attend the event at the stadium.
31	"I'm happy because he talked about tribalism. Our nation is divided along tribal line(s) and as leaders we need to address it."
32	During his three-day visit, Obama spoke to Kenyan leaders about security and terrorism.
33	Kenya has witnessed a rise in high-profile terror attacks over the past two years, including a 2013 assault at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi that resulted in almost 70 deaths.
34	Al-Shabab, a Somali-based group linked to al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the mall attack and another attack earlier this year at a university in Garissa in eastern Kenya that killed almost 150 people.
35	The extremist group says the attacks are in retaliation for Kenya military action against them in Somalia.
36	Since the Garissa attack, Kenyan officials have stepped up their crackdown on the Somali community and also against civil rights groups including Muslim groups, putting them on a watch list as suspected of supporting extremism.
37	Muslims make up about 11% of Kenya's population of 44 million.
38	Obama told Kenyans that while security measures must be strengthened, the war on terror must be approached while respecting the rule of law and human rights.
39	Some Muslims cheered at his message, saying that they are always targeted after every terror attack in Kenya.
40	Nazlin Umar Fazaldin Rajput, national chairperson of the National Muslim Council of Kenya, said: "The oppression Muslims faces in Kenya are (outrageous). People are persecuted, unlawfully detained for prolonged periods, maliciously arrested, prosecuted with trumped up charges, residences and offices are raided and literally each and every belonging is carted away in truck loads to unknown destinations. There is evidence of public whipping, battery and torture by police on innocent citizens, solely because they are Muslim."
41	The government has said that Kenya needs to tighten security to prevent terrorism.
42	Many Kenyans celebrated Obama's speech, saying he touched on all issues affecting Kenyans and urged country leaders to implement them.
43	The young pointed out his emphasis on investing in women and girls, who are over half of Kenya's population and investing in the Kenyan youth, by empowering and mentoring them.
44	About 80% of Kenyans are under 35.
45	"I am inspired by Obama's story," said David Juma, 29, a businessman who owns a dairy farm.
46	"It does not matter where you were born, anyone can move from scratch to becoming a great leader like him. His speech has changed my life forever."
47	The U.S. leader will depart for Ethiopia later Sunday.