Englewood – As U.S. presidential hopefuls crisscross the country raising funds and wooing voters, a candidate running for president of Kenya is stumping in Colorado.
Raila Odinga, an Orange Democratic Movement candidate from the east-African nation of 32 million people, spoke Monday at the Clarion Hotel-Centennial Airport.
Odinga, 62, isn’t looking for votes here.
Instead, he’s looking to cultivate long-term business opportunities between the countries and drum up possible U.S. investment in Kenya.
If elected in the December general election, Odinga promised a sure-fire way to increase tourism to his troubled country: “I intend to make Kenya the first country on the African continent to host the Olympic Games,” he promised.
Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb was among Odinga’s supporters at the “Kenya Economic Forum” sponsored, in part, by Centennial Airport.
“In order for people to do business with each other, they have to know each other,” said Webb, who visited Africa when he was mayor.
If elected, Odinga faces staggering political problems, including nationwide unemployment above 40 percent and a national poverty level at about 50 percent.
Odinga said one of his priorities will be to rid Kenya of corruption in politics and government.
John Gay, a Denver businessman who owns a company that sends medical supplies and doctors to impoverished African nations, attended Monday’s forum.
If Odinga tries to tackle corruption, Gay said, he fears for the candidate’s life.
“I am not under the illusion that it is going to be risk-free,” Odinga said. “But the risk must be taken.”
Odinga’s visit continues today with presentations at the University of Denver and at Metropolitan State College of Denver.
Staff writer Kieran Nicholson can be reached at 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
