DHAKA: Barack Obama has arrived in Kenya on the first visit to his ancestral home as serving US president.

During his two-day visit, Obama will hold talks with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and other top officials.

Trade will feature strongly, but Obama also said he would deliver a "blunt message" to African leaders about gay rights and discrimination, reports bbc.com

The trip to Kenya and then Ethiopia is also designed to show US commitment to fighting terror in East Africa.

President Obama's Air Force One touched down at Nairobi's international airport shortly before 20:10 local time (17:10 GMT).

Arriving in the country where his father was born, he was greeted at the airport by President Kenyatta with a handshake and embrace.

Obama also hugged his half-sister Auma, who then travelled in the presidential limousine to the hotel where the US leader is staying. Crowds cheered the motorcade along its route.

At dinner, the president was joined by more relatives, including the woman known as "Granny" or "Mama Sarah", who helped raise his now-deceased father.

Security is tight. The Kenyan capital is in lockdown, many streets are closed and people are opting to stay at home.

Obama, the first sitting US president to visit Kenya, will hold talks on trade and investment, and also security and counter-terrorism.


He also becomes the first US leader to address the African Union when he travels on to Ethiopia on Sunday.

BDST: 0842 HRS, JULY 25, 2015
RS