Thaindian News

NAIROBI, KENYA (BNO NEWS) – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden reaffirmed on Wednesday the continuing support from the U.S. towards a free, secure, prosperous and democratic Kenya.

Biden said that Kenya has been fighting for 50 years in order to achieve this goal. During a conference at a university in Nairobi, Biden recognized the successful economy the country has managed to achieve even though they lack minerals and oil.

“You have no oil. You have no precious minerals. But you have built the largest non-oil, non-mineral based economy in sub-Saharan Africa. And you are the financial capital of East Africa,” Biden told the audience.

One of the cornerstones of Kenya’s progress is their commitment to education. Kenya has the highest number of universities in Africa which has resulted in world-renowned scientists, geneticists, environmentalists, writers and a Nobel Prize winner. Kenyans have long been among the largest groups of African students at American universities.

Biden noted that despite all the advances Kenya has made in the last 50 years, there is one issue, corruption, which has stopped the African nation from becoming a strong African voice on the international stage.

“Foreign investment depends upon stability, transparency, the rule of law, and the crackdown on corruption. So if you make these changes, I promise you, new foreign private investment will come in like you’ve never seen and you will have a reinvigorated tourism industry that will exceed the billion dollars it was before the economic crisis,” Biden said.

Currently, Kenya is having a great national debate about a new constitution which will result in a referendum in August. Biden encouraged Kenyans to get involved in the process and participate in the democracy by expressing their opinions through their votes.

Finally, Biden addressed the ethnic and religious confrontations that had occurred in the past. He urged citizens to resist those who try to divide Kenya based on ethnicity, religion or region.

“I especially call on the young people – the backbone of this country – the next generation of Kenyan leaders. Your energy is contagious, and your enthusiasm is boundless. Your ideas and your voice can help create a peaceful, stable, democratic, and economically prosperous Kenya everyone here wants to see – and, quite frankly, we want to see.”

“The United States of America’s relationship with Kenya is among the most important on the continent for us, one that has been strong and uninterrupted since your independence,” he added.