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Obama rocks to Sauti Sol’s Lipala dance


US President Barack Obama and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta made merry as they were taught Lipala dance by award-winning Kenyan boy-band, Sauti Sol, during the state banquet at State House on Saturday night.

The two were later joined on the dance floor by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, President Obama’s sister Auma Obama and brother Malik Obama, among others.

The state dinner banquet in honour of President Obama, was also attended by former President Mwai Kibaki, former Kenya Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his wife Ida Odinga and Mama Sarah Obama, and a host of Cabinet Secretaries.

Sauti Sol, who have since flown to Kigali, Rwanda for a performance, later camped on social media to tell the world of their historic performance.

“We just made the most powerful man on the planet do #LipalaDance,” tweeted the group. Pictures from the evening showed members of the group rubbing shoulders with the two presidents literally.

SURA YAKO HIT

Lipala is a dance from Sauti Sol’s hit Sura Yako which was well received across the world. President Kenyatta is known to be a fan of Sauti Sol.

At some point, he was caught on live TV camera singing along to the song during a State ceremony at Nyayo Nationa Stadium.

Speaking at the state banquet, President Uhuru Kenyatta said Africa is no longer a continent which begs for aid but rather which seeks support and empowerment to achieve economic prosperity.

“Many have said President Obama has not done much for Africa. I tend to disagree with that statement because enough is not about how much you put on the table that is not the issue,” said the President.

President Obama said the approval of the extension of Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by US congressmen was a demonstration of the American people desire to expand trade and investment opportunities besides deepening relations between Africa and America.

“We were able to get the AGOA Bill passed and those who know American politics, there too many things where Republicans and Democrats agree these days. But deepening our relations with Africa is something guided by partisan support and it is an indication how American people feel,” said President Obama.