But still, I feel he handled the issues at hand a bit maturely...He painted Africa in general, and Kenya specifically as a great place to invest in. Ideally, looking at the current circumstance, we would have expected him to talk negatively about the political and economic environment in Kenya.
Quote:The former Prime Minister made a strong pitch to the gathered investors urging them to take their money to the continent which he described it as the “last great frontier of economic growth in the world”.
“Anyone harbouring a positive assessment of Africa will not be disappointed,” said Mr Odinga.
“There has been a surge of interest, even euphoria, about the prospects of Africa in recent years. The optimism is well founded because all indications are that there are few places in the world where you can get as high a return on investment as you can on the continent. Rwanda recently issued a USD 400m Eurobond and it was oversubscribed by up to 8.5 times raising USD 3.5 billion. That is a demonstration of confidence not just in Rwanda but in Africa as a whole.”
Quote:“In Kenya, we championed the Lamu port project which is very close to my heart. It is important because only through such initiatives can we trade with our brothers and sisters across Africa. I want the project to open up the interior of Africa and to help us trade with countries such as the Central African Republic, Congo, Cameroon and others.”
And look at this maturity:
Quote:“The ICC did not invite itself to Kenya. Kenya took itself to the ICC. A constitutional amendment to set up a tribunal was defeated. But unlike the Ivory Coast situation, the President and deputy president have cooperated with the court. The matter is being handled in a civilised manner in my view. There is no need for panic and in time the process will be concluded.”
Finally, that small issue, eeh
Quote:Speaking to the Daily Nation later, Mr Odinga said he will make a decision within two weeks on whether he will re-enter Parliament or take up a role outside politics as one of Africa’s elder statesmen. “There are very persuasive arguments on both sides. There are those who say that I am needed in Parliament to drive the agenda of the party. And there are others who say that such a role is beneath my stature and I should leave politics and play a different role. I have not settled on either and Kenyans will hear from me within the next two weeks.”