Obama ally Odinga, brings closer relations with Iran
The governments of Iran and Kenya have signed a bi-lateral partnership for cooperation between the two countries on capital investment projects.
Kenya Prime Minister Raila Odinga was quoted in East Africa Capital Business, May 29:
“We agreed to have co-operation in fields of higher education, science and technology, water, irrigation and livestock development with special focus to arid and semi arid regions in Northern Kenya,” he told journalists upon his arrival from the successful working trip to Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was quoted in Fars News as saying that he hoped the agreements would lead to: "deepening and expanding ties."
Anti-Communist blogger and KGB defector Anatoliy Golitsyn gave an overview of the trip, May 29:
Iran is eager enough to expand close ties to a variety of African states. Among them include Kenya being ruled by its Prime Minitser Raila Odinga whom managed to come to power via violent protests. The Iranian foreign minister even admits that a certain Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is planning on visiting Kenya in effort to get Obama’s possible relative to give key support.
Background
Odinga is the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, which has been linked to Islamic extremism, particularly in the northern part of the country near the Somali border. Northern Kenya has been the scene of recent incursions by Al-Shabab Jihadists. And there is increasing evidence linking Al-Shabab to Islamic extremist groups operating within Kenya itself.
In 2006/07 Odinga is alleged to have led riots against the democratically elected government. Thousands were killed, mostly Christian and pro-democracy civilians. Some were brutally massacred by machete' wielding Luo Tribesman. Others were burned alive, including 600 in a village church.
US President Barack Hussein Obama, son of Luo Tribesman Hussein Obama, campaigned for Odinga in Kenya in 2006. Upon his return to the US he raised millions of dollars among US donors for his election.
Obama and Odinga are relatives. Odinga even claims that they are "first cousins."
Posted by Eric Dondero at:
http://libertarianrepublican.blogspot.com/2009/05/mahmoud-ahmadinejad-and-kenyas-pm-raila.html
Kenya PM speaks big of Iran trip
BY EVELYN NJOROGE
May 29, 2009
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 29 - The recent signing of the bilateral partnership between the government and the Islamic republic of Iran is likely to speed up development prospects in the country, Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said.
He said the ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two States in various fields of interest was prudent if the country was to fast track and re-energise her drive towards industrialization in line with Vision 2030 dream.
“We agreed to have co-operation in fields of higher education, science and technology, water, irrigation and livestock development with special focus to arid and semi arid regions in Northern Kenya,” he told journalists upon his arrival from the successful working trip to Iran.
Mr Odinga said the Iranian government had also expressed interest in jointly working with local scientists in medical research and pharmaceutical studies for the mutual benefit of the two nations.
The Premier had earlier in the week made a visit in United States of America where he held talks with executives of multinational corporations on investment prospects in the country.
He said the executive officers were briefed about the investment potentials the country enjoyed and were invited to open more outlets in Kenya to reap the benefits in the local market.
Mr Odinga said the meeting with the investors under the auspices of the Chicago Global Council - an organisation promoting private sector investment initiatives outside the US - was meant to restore and mold the image of the country before the international business community.
Source: Capital Business - Business & Politics in East Africa
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/Local/Kenya-PM-speaks-big-of-Iran-trip-2329.html
