Thursday, June 10, 2010

I work for Barack Obama

"I am Joe Biden, and I work for Barack Obama," that is how US Vice-President Joe Biden announced his arrival on stage for a public lecture.

Enthralled by the deliberate introduction, the audience remained attentive throughout the one-hour address that started at 11am at the KICC.

Biden, who is said to discomfort the Obama administration sometimes for his penchant to shoot straight, was in his element.

"I mean what I say," he had said in response to a plea during question time, before adding to the crowd’s delight: "But sometimes I say more than I should."

His audience, a sample of the society representing MPs, chief executives, clergy, activists and college as well as high school students, loved it.

The grey haired Delaware Senator with more than three decades in Congress put up a show against the backdrop of six US and Kenyan flags.

As usual, security was tight with secret service agents prowling the venue.

Participants had been asked to arrive as early as 8am due to elaborate screening.

Earlier, Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai had set the tone with a stinging upbraid of the current state of affairs. She, however, capped her address with a light touch: "We proudly claim Obama as our own."

"We have put his face on matatus, in our offices and homes. We hold him close to our hearts because he is representative of hope and possibilities," Prof Wangari added, drawing loud applause.

Biden then strode onto the stage and hugged Maathai.

He praised her for being among several recipients of the world’s top award, including his boss Obama.

"I feel somewhat insufficient to be in their midst," he joked.

"I bring greetings and love from President Obama. He looks forward to the day he will visit. He is anxious to come," Biden said.

But the VP soon shed off diplomatic gloves and set off on the tough talk.

Biden explained that the criticism should not be misconstrued as lecturing, since "true friendship demands honesty."

"Don’t let your country down," he thundered at the close of his official address, poking his finger on the surface of the platform.

Biden asked aides to pick the names of those who raised questions so he could later send elaborate responses.

— Alex Ndegwa

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