President Abraham Lincoln famously said that the U.S. patent system adds “the fuel of interest to the fire of genius.” Intellectual property (IP) rights assure inventors, industrial designers, and creative artists that their ideas will be protected. They can receive payment for the use of their creations and continue to invest in future innovations. Because …

(As Prepared for Delivery) Ladies and Gentlemen, Hamjambo! Habari Zenu? It’s great to be here on this exciting day as we celebrate Kenya’s new Junior NBA youth basketball program.  The NBA is perhaps the biggest and most famous American institution in global sports.  Its stars are household names around the world.  You know them: Michael …

Your Excellency, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta; Deputy Nairobi Governor, Hon. Jonathan Mueke; Other distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Waheshima, Mabibi na mabwana, Hamjambo. Habari zenu? Mambo vipi! Good morning.  It is an honor to be here with you today as we commemorate World AIDS Day 2015.  On this day, I ask you to imagine a …

Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed, other distinguished guests. Waheshima, Mabibi na mbwana, Hamjambo. Habari zenu? Thank you Cabinet Secretary to you and your team for hosting this summit. I am honored to be here as we promote the African Growth and Opportunity Act. It is great to see so many business leaders. I hope this event …

Principal Secretary Khadija Kasachoon, Dr. John Munyu, KEMSA CEO, Distinguished guests. Waheshima, Mabibi na mabwana, Hamjambo. Habari zenu? Principal Secretary, colleagues, it is a pleasure and an honor to be with you today to launch our groundbreaking new partnership, the USAID-KEMSA Medical Commodities Program.  This program is funded by the American people through the U.S. …

  Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, waheshima, mabibi na mabwana, Hamjambo! Habari zenu? Mambo! It’s great to be here to join you in celebrating the Kenya Red Cross in Nairobi and its spirit of volunteerism and commitment to public service. During half a century of volunteering, the Kenya Red Cross has helped people in Nairobi …

Governor Oparanya, Ladies and gentlemen, other distinguished guests, Mabibi na mabwana, Waheshimiwa, Hamjambo! Habari zenu? I am honored to be here in Kakamega as we begin our mass distribution of 3.8 million insecticide-treated Mosquito nets. Overall, we are distributing over 5 million nets to families in Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Nyamira, and Kisii. The U.S. Government …

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, mabibi na mabwana. Hamjambo! Habari zenu? Thank you for inviting me to be here with you to celebrate FilmAid’s 9th Annual Film Festival.  Thank you to FilmAid for hosting this incredible event and to UNHCR for their continued support.  But most of all, thank you to all of the amazing …

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Rotich, Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary Macharia, National Treasury Principal Secretary Thugge, Ministry of Health Principal Secretary Dr. Kassachoon, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen Waheshima, mabibi na mabwana, Hamjambo! Habari zenu? I am honored to join you today to celebrate the signing of seven new grant agreements of the Global Fund …

Distinguished guests, Mabibi na mabwana, Hamjambo! Habari zenu? I am pleased to join you on this important occasion as Kenya holds this workshop to validate its National Policy on Climate Finance and Climate Change Budget Codes. This action by the National Treasury will significantly improve Kenya’s ability to mobilize financing to address climate change and …

Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital -As Delivered- Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, other distinguished guests. Waheshima, mabibi na mabwana, Hamjambo. Habari zenu? Thank you for the opportunity to join you today at the inauguration of Kenya’s Medically Assisted Therapy treatment program for people who inject drugs.  I applaud the Government of Kenya, the Ministry of Health, …

Delta Towers, 14th Floor, Westlands -As Delivered- Dr. Fred Matiangi, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Technology, all distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Washeshimewah, Mabibi na Mabawana, Hamjambo! Habari zenu! Good evening.  I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone here this evening, and especially to the team from Oracle …

Ladies and Gentlemen, Hamjambo mabibi na mabwana! Habari zenu? Good morning. I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone here this morning. This is the ninth year that Lawyers Without Borders and Judge Ann Williams have partnered with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Judicial Training Institute of Kenya. It’s an extraordinary …

-As prepared- Good afternoon, We are getting close to President Obama’s arrival in Kenya.  His visit will be a truly historic moment for both Kenya and the United States, and underscores the fact that the United States’ partnership with the Kenyan Government and people has never been stronger. When the President arrives later this week, …

Vice Chancellor, Commissioner at the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, faculty, students! Mabibi na mabwana: Hamjambo!  Habari zenu! Thank you for inviting me here today to dedicate your new Center for Human Rights.  This is a critically important endeavor.  This program, and the university’s requirement that all students take a human rights course, is …

Opening the Third Debate: How Do We Stop the Demand for Ivory?   Good afternoon.  It is a pleasure to join you for the Great Debate on the Future of Elephants.  The first session asked “Are elephants special?”  I wasn’t asked to speak on that question… but there really is no doubt, yes, they are! …

Excellency, President of the Republic of Kenya, The Honorable Uhuru Kenyatta; Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning Anne Waiguru; County Governors; Representatives of civil society,academia, and the private sector; Mabibi na mabwana: Hamjambo!  Habari za asubuhi? Thank you for the opportunity to join you at this Second Devolution Conference.  And thank you Governor Ranguma for …

Thank you for inviting me to speak at this workshop, which provides an excellent opportunity for everyone involved in protecting Kenya’s wildlife heritage to express their views. As you know, the United States has been actively engaged in supporting Kenya’s conservation efforts through our collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service, civil society, the Ministry of …

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Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Water, and Natural Resources, Professor Judi Wakhungu; Kenya Wildlife Service Director General William Kiprono; Kenya Wildlife Service Deputy Director Patrick Omondi; Distinguished guests. Waheshimiwa, mabibi na mabwana. Hamjambo! Habari zenu? I am honored to join you for the launch of Kenya’s National Elephant Conference. This conference is a critical step …

Hamjambo! Habari za asubuhi! Good morning. It is an honor to be here with some of Kenya’s most dynamic, distinguished, and accomplished executives! Thank you for the opportunity to join you in launching the Kenya chapter of Women Corporate Directors. This chapter joins a worldwide network of successful businesswomen who promote best practices in corporate …

President Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, Prof. Jacob Kaimenyi,  Cabinet Secretary, Education, Science and Technology, Other Cabinet Secretaries, Senators and Members of Parliament, Principal Secretary, Dr. Christian Turner, and all dignitaries present; Ladies and gentlemen. Waheshimiwa, mabibi na mabwana, Hamjambo! Habari zenu? Leo, tupo hapa kuzindoa mupango mupya “Tusome.” Today, we are …

(Minute of silence to remember the victims of the Mandera bus attack.)   Distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; good evening. It is a pleasure to join you for the annual American Chamber of Commerce Kenya Thanksgiving Ball. Thanksgiving is, of course, a very special day for all Americans.  Its origins go back to the Plymouth …

-As Delivered- Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment Water and Natural Resources, Professor Judi Wakhungu; UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas; Dr. Richard Lesiyampe; Fellow development partners; Distinguished guests; Waheshimiwa, Mabibi na Mbwana,  Hamjambo! Habari zenu? It is an honor to be here this morning.  Today, the United States and Kenya join hands to reaffirm our …

Hon. Ekwe Ethuro, Speaker of the Senate; Hon. Jessica Mbalu, Representative for Hon. Justin Muturi; Representatives of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Devolution and Planning; UNFPA Country Representative, Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee; WHO Representative Ms. Marleen Temmerman; Members of the Senate; Members of the National Assembly; Members of the various House Committees; Invited …

Hamjambo, mabibi na mabwana! Habari zenu? Thank you for the warm welcome.  It is a pleasure to join the Honorable Felix Koskei, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and the Chairman and CEO of the Kenya Meat Commission to launch the Kenya Semi-Arid Livestock Enhancement Support program – known as K-Sales – in support of Kenyan livestock …

-As Prepared- Hamjambo, mabibi na mabwana!  Habari zenu? Thank you Vice Chancellor Magoha for that introduction, and thank you to everyone for attending.  Asanteni sana. It is wonderful to be here at the University of Nairobi with some of the best and brightest young minds from universities and colleges across Kenya.  I remember well my …

Today marks one year since the terrible attack at the Westgate Shopping Mall in which al-Shabaab terrorists killed or wounded nearly 300 innocent people.  I once again express my deepest sympathy to everyone who suffered from this senseless act of violence and I join Kenyans and many others around the world in remembering those who …

Wasanii, wageni waheshimiwa, mabibi na mabwana. Hamjambo! Habari za jioni! Karibuni nyumbani kwetu. Thank you all for coming this evening.  My wife Lori and I are pleased to welcome you to our home and to this celebration of American and Kenyan art. Art is a truly universal form of expression whose magical power transcends cultural …

The Honorable Justice Philip Ransley; Inspector General Kimaiyo; Representatives of the Ministry of Interior, National Police Service Commission, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution; Macharia Njeru, Chairman of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority; IPOA board members; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. Thank you to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority for inviting me …

At the Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Hamjambo mabibi na mabwana.  Habari zenu. Thank you and good afternoon. Cabinet Secretary Wakhungu; Distinguished guests; Ladies and Gentlemen. It is a pleasure to join you at this signing ceremony that underscores the U.S.-Kenyan partnership to help protect Kenya’s wildlife.  Wildlife conservation is a top priority for …

Hamjambo, mabibi na mabwana!  Habari zenu. It is a great pleasure to join everyone here today to celebrate Shining Hope’s expansion into an entirely new community.  That you have done so, and so quickly, is a testament to the help and support of the entire community: from the private sponsors who provided financing to volunteers …

Waheshimiwa, mabibi na mabwana, hamjambo, habari zenu, habari za jioni!  Mambo vipi!  Ningependa kuchukua fursa hii kuwakaribisha kwa sherehe hii ya sikukuu ya uhuru.  Karibuni nyote stareheni! Welcome, distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen to the 238thcelebration of America’s independence. I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to organize this year’s party, …

Ms. Rita Kavashe, Managing Director, GM East Africa… and Vice President-elect of the American Chamber of Commerce!, Distinguished guests; Hamjambo mabibi na mabwana.  Habari zenu!  Good evening. I am happy to be here today to welcome the Chevy Trailblazer to Kenya, and to celebrate the strong ties between General Motors, a great American company, and …

Good afternoon! I am very happy to be here in Kakuma and to join in this commemoration of World Refugee Day.  I would like to thank everyone who has come here for this event, including my colleagues from the diplomatic corps.  I would like to thank our hosts of this event, including the Department of …

Your Excellency, Margaret Kenyatta, First Lady of the Republic of Kenya; Honorable James Macharia, Cabinet Secretary for Health; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. Hamjambo!  Habari zenu!  Thank you for inviting me to participate in World Blood Donor Day.  I want to thank the Ministry of Health, the National Blood Transfusion Service, and all the organizers …

Hamjambo mabibi na mabwana. Good evening, and thank you for joining me to celebrate and honor the 46 young Kenyan leaders who will participate as Washington Fellows in President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative.  The 24 women and 22 men who make up the 2014 Washington Fellowship group possess impressive credentials and diversity.  They include …

Hamjambo na karibuni. Welcome and thank you all for coming this evening to the screening of the African Environmental Film Foundation’s documentary White Gold.  I am very happy to have Ian Saunders here, one of the producers of the film, to introduce it and share information on his important work with the Tsavo Trust. White …

Hamjambo mabibi na mabwana.  Good evening, and welcome.  Thank you all for coming this evening to commemorate – a few days late – World Press Freedom Day. Twenty years ago, almost to the day, Nelson Mandela said this about the media:  “A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. The press …

Your Excellency, Margaret Kenyatta, first lady of the Republic of Kenya; Dr. Evans Kidero, Governor of Nairobi; and other distinguished guests: Good morning!  Habari Zenu.  Thank you for inviting me to participate in this important occasion to highlight the need for blood donation in Kenya.  I want to thank the Ministry of Health and all …

Ms. Radha Muthiah, Executive Director, Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, Ms. Kathy Calvin, UN Foundation, Mr. Isaac Kalua, Green Africa Foundation, Representatives of the Government of Kenya, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves and the Clean Cookstoves Association of Kenya, Representatives of the Private Sector, Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen.  Hamjambo!  Habari …

Thank you and good morning. Jeff Immelt, Chairman and CEO, GE Corporation; Jay Ireland, President and CEO, GE Africa; Joshua Oigara, CEO, Kenya Commercial Bank; Mark Feierstein, USAID Associate Administrator; Earl Gast, USAID Assistant Administrator for Africa; Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen. I am delighted to be here this morning to recognize the ongoing collaboration …

Your Excellency, the President of the Republic of Kenya, The Honorable Uhuru Kenyatta, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Professor Jacob Kaimenyi, Chairman of Equity Bank, Mr. Peter Munga, Equity Bank Group Managing Director and CEO, Mr. James Mwangi, Equity Group Foundation Managing Director, Dr. Helen Gichohi, President and CEO of the MasterCard Foundation, Ms. Reeta Roy, …