Raila Odinga Honors Kenyan Athletes in Boston, Promises voting rights for Diaspora Kenyans in the 2012 Election
Kenyan Prime Minister, Hon. Raila Odinga (center) poses for a picture with Kenyan Athletes currently in Boston to take part in the 115th Boston Marathon that will be held on Monday, April 18, 2011. Hon.Odinga praised the Athletes for bringing Kenya a good name around the world. He was speaking at an event honoring the runners at the Back Bay Event Center in Boston Mass. attended by Kenyan Ambassador to the US, H.E Elkanah Odembo.
Pic by H.Maina/Ajabu Media
By Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa News, posted April 16, 2011
BOSTON, Mass. Amid charged national pride and high expectations at the upcoming Boston marathon competition, Kenyan prime minister, Rt.Hon. Raila Odinga praised victory prone Kenyan athletes for making a good name for Kenya everywhere they go around the world.
At the same time, the prime minister told Kenyans in the Diaspora that the historic manner in the way Kenyans voted for the new constitution has ushered in a new brighter era for Kenyans everywhere, including opening the door for those in the Diaspora to vote in the upcoming 2012 General elections as well as a myriad investment opportunities available for them that are generating very high returns.
The prime minister was speaking last night at the Back Bay Event center in Boston where several hundred Kenyans joined about 20 Kenyan marathon runners to hear from one of their top leaders.
During the speech, Hon. Odinga surprised Kenyans with his mastery of the development of competitive athletic sports in Kenya that started way back in 1956 when Nyandika Maiyoro, a 5,000 meters runner became the first Kenyan to participate and do well in the Summer Olympics held in Melbourne, Australia as a member of the British team since Kenya was still a British colony.
At the 1956 Olympics Maiyoro was 7th in the 5,000 meters race, and 4 years later, he was number 6 at the 1960 summer Olympics in Rome, Italy, setting a new record by any African Athlete in the same race.
"Such is the honor that these people bring to our country. Wherever I go, I get told, "oh, you come from that country of great runners"," said the Premier, beaming with pride.
He wished the current Kenyan athletes who will be in action on Monday at the Boston Marathon all the best and hoped that they will scoop all medals available.
The prime minister and the Ambassador left Boston on Saturday to meet Kenyans in LA before the Ambassador jets back in to Boston for Marathon Monday which is expected to be hilarious for both runners and fans.
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Kenyan Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga left, together with Kenyan Ambassador to the US, H.E. Elkanah Odembo enjoy a patriotic song during the clebrations to honor the Kenyan Boston marathon runners yeterday, Friday April 15
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