“Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula, Medical Service Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o, Sports Minister Helen Sambili and Tourism Minister Najib Balala are part of the Kenyan delegation. Others are Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim, and MPs Hassan Joho (Kisauni) and Eugene Wamalwa (Saboti).” The Standard (Nairobi) 20th January 2009.

What is interesting from the article is the fact the trip is funded by the Minister’s various ministries. The Ministers and parliamentarians will not attend any official US State functions, but will attend what the Standard calls “The African Bash”. The only Kenya Government representative invited to attend the Official inauguration function is Kenya’s Ambassador to the US – Honourable Peter Rateng’ Ogego and his wife.

David Ochami article “How The Standard Helped Make Obama Known” is an important article for any political or media student. It recounts the visit of Barack Obama to Kenya and his support given Kenya journalists who were facing imprisonment during a crack down on Kenya’s media by the Kenya Government.

Quoting Barack Obama on his visit to the Standard Group Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya on 28 August 2006 “Democracy cannot function properly without a free Press,” he said and declared, “I am in solidarity with you.” End

Note: The Standard is one of Africa’s leading media House based in Nairobi, Kenya. www.eastandard.net