r this p this hour, this hour, we'll here from president p president obama, aspresident obama, as he makes an historicp historic triphistoric trip top homeland of kenya, the first sincesince hep since he took office and the first and theand the firstp and the first for a sitting president. and r plus, i'mp plus, i'm plus, i'm going top fresh look atfresh look at sandra bland's . r i'm i'mp i'm michael i'm michael smerconish. thosep those scores in a moment.

r thatp that clinton used while secretary of state and p it also citesit also cites clinton's defense thatp that shethat she kept no classified information on thep server she set upserver she set up in her house. joining me now, two people i suspect with strong differing opinions the first is former federal prosecutor, who has worked on everything from the jonathan pollard spy case to prosecution of would-be assassin, john hinkley to the passport controversy. joining me from the d.c. bureau and lanny p davis. who's most recent book is crisis

tales, five rules for handling business politics and life. danny, it's easy to get lost in the weeds here. but here's the fundamental question. did secretary clinton compromise classified security by securing classified material outside of a secure system? >> no. i wish i could address the headline that you read and we'll get to that. but the answer to your question is no. the server that she stored her e-mails on. protected by both secret service, because it also resided in the home of a former president, was absolutely secure and those who think the federal government has a more secure system ought to read the newspapers about the breach of security by chinese and other hackers into the most sensitive federal government national security information. so to suggest that because she had it protected on a home server that was less secure than the federal government opened apparently data system to

the chinese is not proven as far as i'm concerned. >> joseph for "newsweek." said this is a snooze fest and all about officials not the secretary of state. does he have it right? >> no first of all there was a compromise of national security information. when she made the decision to store all of her official government property on a private server in a private residence. that proved she violated her non- disclosure agreemently she signs when she became secretary of state and agreed to receive classified information pursuant to certain government rules. these e-mails were compromised because she never gave anybody a chance to review them before they were sent. that's what is wrong with her having a personal server. the problem was, from the beginning, mrs. clinton decided she was not going use government servers, she was going to use

personal servers for one reason to present disclosure to congress the courts and the public. it was designed to present disclosure. in so doing, she insured that classified information would be compromised and in fact. it was. >> joe, what to lanny's point that these materials were never marked until classified until after the fact. >> you know what? that's the reason she should have never had a personal server because if it had been a government server she would not have been able to click "send" without that information having been previously reviewed by a government person who has responsible for classification. the secretary made a decision that she was going to be able to do whatever she wanted and she chose a server that was not secure. by the way. it doesn't matter that the secret service is standing outside of a door to protect the physical server anyone can get into a server. lanny's point that the chinese got into the most sophisticated service in the federal government almost insures

categorically that they got into her server at her residence. >> lanny davis, respond. >> first of all rngt i don't attack motives. joe is doing that. it's up to him. i respect joe. it's been written. >> whose motive? >> let me finish my point, joe. >> i want to add facts not included in "the new york times" story or your opening presentation. fact number one, you already mentioned the inspector general said not deliberate inadvertent is the word he used about hillary clinton's treatment of the e-mails, if there happened to be classified information. secondly this is a post fact toe judgment. at the time they were not labeled by the individuals. you made that point. it was also omitted bite "the new york times." it was her story and tried to be corrected. even though it was in the inspector general's story. number three most importantly the state department and many other people disagree with the

judgment on classification these are four e-mails about a foia argument. that too, was omitted. the entire story never mentioned the state department was on record saying, no these were not classified. dig disagreeing with my friend. finally the notion of a criminal referral that went all over the internet yesterday. published by the new yorktime, now retrieving by "the new york times" saying a justice department official told us that without naming the justice department official who got it wrong when referring to a referral about hillary clinton, how can "the new york times" get that expression. criminal referral wrong? >> joe i want to ask a follow-up of lanny before you get back that this. the "times" says this is an unforeseen consequence of her computer set-up. wasn't it an entirely foreseeable consequence in the way she decided to handle her e-mail? >> it's not sure it's

foreseeable. non- labeled e-mail. two years after she left office and six years after she became secretary would be in some sector of the government, two igs. determining it to be classified for e-mails. how can she foresee her own state department from a foia argument. also omitted this is a foia argument. about the state department's two ig's judgment. how do you foresee that? one other thing. hillary clinton did say in retrospect she should have done it differently. she should have had two devices rather than one. colin powell had one device like she. he's omitted by the discussion. it's always good to have wisdom behind sight. >> by the way, colin powell is not have a private server in his home which he conducted all government business. this is ludicrous comparison. number one hillary clinton chose

to have a private server thus making it pop for people with a responsibility to vet classified information to review her material before it was sent. she clearly knew that was going to be the case that's why she did it. by the way, lanny said in march of this year that he thought that her server should be turned over to a third party for analysis. >> actually all of the e-mails -- >> i did not say that. >> let me finish, please. >> lanny, i direct you to the march 8th. 2015 transcript of fox sunday news where you said you thought it would be a good idea for some third party -- no i did not. >> -- to review the e-mails. >> no, i did not. >> i'm sorry lanny, i just read it. >> i said if there was a subpoena. don't read omit the "if there was a subpoena". >> apparently there were several subpoenas. >> i have a question for lanny. lanny, did. >> stick to your own talking points don't misquote me. >> i don't have talking points

just the facts. >> what should the attorney general do with this now? >> run for cover. >> everyone is saying, include including the inspector general, this is a dissput between the intelligence agencies and igs over the freedom of information act and that is not a criminal referral. the "times" has misled and still wouldn't withdraw its mistake and explain why it landed on an anonymous report -- >> it's not fox new,s it ate "new york times" not exactly a conservative bastian that's raising this issue. >> i consider "the new york times" one of the great newspapers in the history of our country. when "the new york times" gets something wrong and it's possible it's inadvertent error, they omit deliberately in today's story. that's an intentional mission, that number one, they got wrong, that there was no labeling on these e-mails. they said it in today's paper. yesterday said it was not clear. there's a direct statement by

the ieg. these e-mails were not labeled. that goes to mrs. clinton's intent. it goes to the state department person that's part of the state department system to suggest that's a deliberate, intentional mishandling of classified information which the "times" did, they can get things wrong but they have to make the correction and admit they got it wrong and they didn't. >> i wish we had more time. joseph lanny, thanks for being here. >> thank you. >> when we come back, who is the most powerful person at foxnews? will they control who gets the republican nod for president. president obama goes back to kenya. we'll take you to his news conference live this hour. get gas-x. it relieves bloating in minutes. plus that uncomfortable pressure. no wonder it's the #1 gas relief brand.

across america, people are taking charge of their type 2 diabetes... ...with non-insulin victoza. for a while, i took a pill to lower my blood sugar but it didn't get me to my goal. so i asked my doctor about victoza. he said victoza works differently than pills and comes in a pen. victoza is proven to lower blood sugar and a1c. it's taken once a day, any time. and the needle is thin. victoza is not for weight loss but it may help you lose some weight. victoza is an injectable prescription medicine that may improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes

when used with diet and exercise. it is not recommended as the first medication to treat diabetes and should not be used in people with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. victoza has not been studied with mealtime insulin. victoza is not insulin. do not take victoza if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or if you are allergic to victoza or any of its ingredients. symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include swelling of face lips, tongue or throat fainting or dizziness, very rapid heartbeat problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching. tell your doctor if you get a lump or swelling in your neck. serious side effects may happen in people who take victoza including inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) which may be fatal. stop taking victoza and call your doctor right away if you have signs of pancreatitis, such as severe pain that will not go away in your abdomen or from your abdomen to your back

with or without vomiting. tell your doctor about all the medicines you take and if you have any medical conditions. taking victoza with a sulfonylurea or insulin may cause low blood sugar. the most common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, and headache. some side effects can lead to dehydration, which may cause kidney problems. if your pill isn't giving you the control you need... ask your doctor about non-insulin victoza. it's covered by most health plans. (whistle) (yells) taxi!!!! ♪ where to?

west 76th street. from us the orange juice growers to you the orange juice lovers. enjoy florida's natural. this week donald trump struck fear in the republican party when he threatened to run as a third party candidate. trump's contemplation comes at a time when there's already talk expanding the debate stage to include a third candidate. bearing no connection to trump there's a very well organized, funded movement called change detectivelerule.org which extended the stage to a third

candidate with a left-leaning democrat and right-leaning republican extend their views. the request has been made to change its requirement that debate participants retain 15% in the national polls just before the debates held. you'll railroad in 1992 ross perot was the last third party candidate to join a republican and democrat on the debate stage but perrot was accepted by acquiesce ens of the parties not because he met the 15% threshold. how this was resolved could determine the outcome of the presidential election. as a registered independent i like the idea of giving voice to a growing group of americans especially where polling suggests the eyes the independents outnumber the rs and ds. joining me, former chair of the rnc and former chair. frank fair

frank ferenkoff. don't those folks deserve represent sensation in the general election debates? >> everyone deserves represent sensation. the argument is over what is the criteria for people to qualify to be in the debates. as you and i have discussed previously you must meet constitutional requirement, 35 years of age and hative born. must have enough balance to achieve 207 electoral vote the and third criteria the one we've been using since 2000, saying you have to be 15% in average of the polls before the debates begin. that's where the argument is. >> the 15% rule is used by the league of women voters when they ran the debates. now, the argument put forth by this group that you mentioned, change the rule was originally that there was going to be a contest to see who could gather the most petition signatures to get on the ballots in enough

states to get 270. they apparently have moved away from that. they now have a new it plan which we got interest them. said to be candid and fair to them. has not been flushed out yet. they are apparently going to hire the producer of the show "survivor" on television and run a separate set of debates and another primary and the winner of that will be determined by votes -- by people voting online. it's a new position for that group. >> we also have it's important the libertarians and greens to believe whoever gets enough balance, all of those people should be on the stage then a proposal from the annan burgh study. they left out, however, they weren't can dad. the study says, whoever gets 10% -- you have to be 10% to get in the first debate. 15% to get in the second debate

and 25 to get in the final debate. >> these are all plans to be proposed. we're asking for them. looking at them. at least a year before the election will come out with what we believe the proper criteria to be. >> doesn't the fact there has not been a third candidate on the debate stage since ross perot in '92 and so much disgruntalment among policy sisters. and you rely on gallop doesn't that suggest there do need to be changes because there are people whose voices aren't being heard when all of a sudden the country is paying attention post labor day in the election. i'm not sure that is what most people agree with. not only in washington, but politics in general. they have lost a lot of confidence in some religions. there's very very bad situation out there with the attitude of

the american people for institutions. but that doesn't necessarily mean that the commission should change any rules. we'll look at it and apply our best judgment in dealing with that. >> if there is in fact 43%, and i tend to agree with that number that you quoted that that would be reflected in the polls. >> mr. ferenhkopf. you know people who want to change this. it's catch 22 to get to 15% one needs to be participant in debates. nothing shapes the candidacy as when the nation is paying attention to debates themselves. >> we've already seen what is going on in the democrat primaries right now. if an independent or third-party person wants to get involved and their plan to have a television show the "survivor" producer,

which would resolve sun someone being on television. debating. i don't know if it's 10%. we have not made that decision. it's a heck of a lot easier, i would submit to get your name out there and get coverage. >> these are factors we are going to consider. we are going to make a decision prior to one year before the election. we ask for these suggestions. we do have every four year. we also want to know where the debates will be and when the debates will be. we deal with questions for mott raters. we're doing it again. >> final question and thank you for being here. if there were an independent primary process in which your commission had confidence is it conceivable that you could leave a podium available for that independent candidate?

we're governed bite rules of the federal election. in order to invite anyone they must meet a standard. objective standard. we put that out a year before. that includes the electoral ballot access and other objective standard. we don't automatically reserve the seat for a republican. we don't automatically reserve the seat for the democrat this makes automatic seat for someone else. we consider it but no decisions have been made yet. >> all right. i'm putting you down as undecided. frank ferenhkopf, thank you. president obama, in kenya, we'll go live to his homeland. and sandra bland arrest was it legal? i'll ask a former police officer, what he thinks. gy is now business strategy. and a partnership with hp can help you accelerate down a path

created by people, technology and ideas. to move your company from what it is now... to what it needs to become. ♪ color is a beautiful thing, i know, i know... ♪ ♪ color is a beautiful thing, i know, oh yes i know... ♪

♪color is the i ching ching for sure ding dang... ♪ ♪ color is a beautiful thing, i know, i know. ♪ if you feel it, you can find it. all new color by behr. exclusively at the home depot. big day? ah, the usual. moved some new cars. hauled a bunch of steel. kept the supermarket shelves stocked. made sure everyone got their latest gadgets. what's up for the next shift? ah, nothing much. just keeping the lights on. (laugh) nice. doing the big things that move an economy. see you tomorrow, mac. see you tomorrow, sam. just another day at norfolk southern. i called for help as soon as i saw her. i found her wandering miles from home. when the phone rang at 5am i knew it was about mom. i see how hard it's been on her at work and i want to help.

for the 5 million americans living with alzheimer's and millions more who feel its effects. let's walk together to make an even bigger impact and end alzheimer's for good. find your walk near you at alz.org/walk.

fahrenkopf. welcome back. now, for a fresh look at a troubling video that many of us have seen the dash cam footage of the traffic stop arrest of sandra bland. the texas woman who ended up dying in police custody three days later. according to the coroner, by suicide. this footage has been scrutinized more than the film of the kennedy assassination. i want to look at the footage one more time relying on the trained eye of alex ferrer. he's a triple threat. former cop, trial lawyer and criminal court judge and he joins me from miami, florida. it all begins with the traffic stop. let me show you footage then i want to show you a question or two. >> you see she's in the left lane. then moves to the right lane. was that a proper traffic stop for the police officer to make? >> it depends on the state, in texas it is. but in other states it

interferes in some traffic in some way. but in texas it's proper for the police officer to write you over either write a citation or give a warrant. >> would the stop itself have been grounds for her arrest? >> no there would not be any grounds for her arrest at that point. >> step number two, when the request made for sandra bland to put out her cigarette. let's watch. >> do you mind putting out your cigarette, please, if you don't mind? >> i'm in my car, why do i have to put out my cigarette? >> judge, what are the pry prity of of him putting out the cigarette. >> if she had been outside of the vehicle the cigarette could be used as a weapon. they have a lost discretion to tell you to put your cell phone down, put a cigarette out, anything like that. inside the video it's harder to say it was in any way a problem

to him. i think it was a polite request that she refused. >> when you were a cop did you ever ask someone to put out a cigarette? >> i don't remember asking anyone to put out a cigarette when sitting in their car. >> step number three, he orders her out of the car let's watch. >> i'm going to yank you out of here. >> you going yank me out of the car? >> okay. all right. >> get out much the car. get out of the car. now. >> why am i being apprehended. you trying to give me a ticket for failure -- >> why am i being apprehended? >> i'm going drag you out of here. >> two-fold question. does he have grounds to order her out of the car, can he physically remove her out much the car based on what has already transpired? >> the answer to both of those is yes. the supreme court require decided the police officer has the authority to step out of the vehicle for officer safety.

the motivation he did it? only the officer knows that. could be he was oh fended when she wouldn't put out the cigarette. maybe he decided he was not going give a warning that he was going to give her and he was going to go back and write the ticket. now he had a bit of an argument. he didn't want her sitting in the vehicle while writing the ticket. sometimes officers do that. he was justified if he wanted her out of the car to get out of the car. once she refuses to get out of the car he's going through the continue um of force officers have to follow. part of that is given a verbal command, raise your voice in order to encourage the person to many could ply. i've done that on some occasions not some situation like this but i have done it when i had somebody at gun point to make sure i didn't have somebody shoot them. >> i wonder if this had been a man would he have awaited backup to arrive before doing anything?

>> perhaps. >> imneat saying what the officer did is what i would have done. >> i probably would have handled this differently. under the broad authority that a police officer has, this fulls under that aare the to. >> one more step. he pulls out the taser -- >> i'm going to drag you out of here. >> i'm going to drag you out of the car. get out of the car. i will light you up. get out, now. >> first of all, he has made a decision, for failing to follow a lawful order. use of force like reaching into the car to get her is certainly bun of the permitted steps before using a taser. but it's dangerous when reaching in you expose your gun to the person in the car. i'm not condoning his argument of i'm going to light you up. that's very unprofessional. but within the continue um of force.

he had another option after trying to reach in to get her. that's to threaten her with pepper spray or use pepper spray. when she comes out. she's blinded. you don't want to grab her because you'll be blinded. he was using the taser to threaten her to get out. this was a situation that should not have escalated as it did. frankly i would have handed her the warning instead of giving her the break i intended to give her. her. >> i think we all wish that would have happened. thank you for being here. >> coming up we're reir await we're awaiting a live report as president obama visits his father's land of birth. he'll have his very own personal assistant. and this guy won't just surf the web. he'll touch it. scribble on it. and share it. because these kids will grow up with windows 10.

get started today. windows 10. a more human way to do. i'm gonna crack like nobody's watching and eat like i skipped lunch. why? because red lobster's crabfest is back. and i'm diving into so much crab so many ways. like crab lover's dream with luscious snow and king crab legs and rich crab alfredo or this snow crab bake. who knew crab goes with everything? whoever put crab on this salmon, that's who. with flavors like these, i'm almost too excited to eat! hey i said almost. and now that it's back get crackin' while you still can. i am totally blind. and sometimes i struggle to sleep at night, and stay awake during the day. this is called non-24. learn more by calling 844-824-2424. or visit your24info.com.

welcome back. why did rupert murdoch who has a whole immediate kwla empire at his beck and call resort to

tweeting unhappiness about donald trump last week. here's what he said. when is donald trump going to stop embarrassing his friends let alone the whole country. why did this happen? murdoch has tried and failed to rein in roger ale ss. wait doesn't ailes work for murdoch not the other way around? joining me the man who owns the news inside the secret world of rupert murdoch. michael wolfe, welcome. you said reef kwusly roger ailes vision is to give the audience what they want. here that would appear at odds with what his boss wants. how will this resolve? >> it will resolve the way roger wants it to resolve. >> roger, not rupert? >> rupert has not -- since the beginning of fox television. rupert has not interfered.

will not interfere doesn't want to interfere. and matter of fact i can go further. rupert is a very happy man when it comes to foxnews and believes roger ailes has knowledge cal powers when it comes to knowing what can be on foxnews and roger ailes does have magical powers. he knows what works. he knows how to make fox a center of attention not only in the political conversation but center of the audience. >> fair to say you are the person that's the biographer of rupert murdoch? you know the man, had the access? >> i am the biographer of rupert murdoch. not only have i had access but much took place when rupert took place in the trump building? >> trump tower? >> 59th and park trump building. where many of the members of the trump family lived, who rupert was very friendly with.

>> what is the history between the to of them? these two media moguls? >> i don't think they have much of a history at all. temperamentally, they are probably at odds. trump is obviously more flamboyant and enormously inconsistent and rupert is very very buttoned down. but, i have been -- i have seen him with ivanka trump. he's -- he's actually quite close to the trump family. and i suspect he -- you know he's probably been, as i say donald trump would not be his favorite person, but to say that there's great emknit there is not true. >> you saw the embarrassment tweet, as i call it. when rupert murdoch sends out a tweet of that kind, who is the intended audience? >> i'm not sure he has an intended audience. rupert is a promiscuous tweeter. it depends on his mood.

it depends how many glasses of wine he's had. >> there's a lot of that going around. >> yeah. so i don't -- clearly trump, from a political standpoint, rupert is very orthodox. and i think trump probably offends his straight and narrow sensibilities, and certainly "the wall street journal" has not been kind to trump, nor has the new york post. >> well that's why i'm fascinated about your comments pertaining to foxnews. the headline from "the post" that stands out was don voyage i think is what it said. is it that "the post" and "the journal" try to give rupert what he wants but fox has no obligation? >> at "the post," they give rupert what he wants. at "the wall street journal," sometimes they give him what he wants.

at foxnews, it is just roger's business. >> is there someone on the air at fox who you think is transparent of what roger ailes -- who is it that most reflects ailes's particular perspective? >> i think everyone. i think if you work at fox new, you reflect the foxnews vision. it is a very very consistent piece of programmingly is one reason why it makes people so mad but another reason why it works so well. >> of course fox is the sponsor of the very first presidential debately will take place on the 6th of august in cleveland. some regard this as the fox primary season because of the strangle hold that have of the gop base. if trump is getting this kind of attention from ailes, is it fair to say that he is the choice of fox or is it too early to tell? >> no. the choice of the fox is to win in every time slot. that's what it wants to do. >> give the public what they want and move on to the next -- >> and it's to tell a story in

the most compelling way and i think you might be able to make the argument that this is a very difficult political field for fox. and nobody has a national reputation other than jeb bush. it's too fractured. many of these people are fighting very, very percent roque parochial campaigns still fighting the same-sex marriage battle in a world fighting that issue. then you have donald trump who is a national name who can transcend awful these, dare i say, smaller fish. >> television is the new television. an intriguing title. look forward to chatting with you on that on a separate occasion. >> thanks. >> best of luck. thank you. >> coming up will donald trump

survive scrutiny from evangelical voters? and live coverage of president obama's first visit to kenya when we come back. ou had kids? when did you first fight to be considered a family? when you fell in love? when you got married? when you had kids? family isn't defined by who you love, but how. tylenol®.

nothing fits, huh? not surprising... ...with that bloated belly. you got gas. i can see it and i know you feel it. get gas-x. it relieves bloating in minutes. plus that uncomfortable pressure. no wonder it's the #1 gas relief brand.

this is cnn breaking news. >> brecking news president obama is in kenya. he's about to start a joint news conference with kenyan president. for coverage we go to michelle kosinski live from nairobi. one of the questions is whether he's going to confront the president on his stance on gay rights. anything new on that score? >> reporter: that's the question. i don't know if confront is the word. that's what the white house does not want to do. when they talk about it they defend themselves in a way, they

bring it up frequently clearly and directly they bring up topics of human rights in public and in private. it seems there's no doubt it will come up but they also say, when appropriate. they don't want to confront kenya or off fend anyone here. the goal here is defined common ground, ways to cooperate moving forward. at the same time they don't want to ignore that. i think it's doubtful that that topic will come up during this press conference. president obama may touch on it but both presidents will be asked about it. >> i see the president -- i was going to say, michelle, i see the presidents approaching the stage and getting ready for their remarks. >> reporter: got it. >> we'll wait and see, live. >> reporter: go for it. >> good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. let me begin by saying that we have had an excellent afternoon where we've had very frank, and

indeed very fruitful discussions with president obama. on a variety of issues of mutual interest both to kenya and the united states. this follows the signing of agreements covering areas of mutual interest such as security vis-a-vis reciprocity, and development amongst other things. our discussions affirm that kenya and the united states share deep values in many areas of critical interest. and naturally, therefore, people and governments speak the same language on many issues. kenya is an open democratic society under pinned by embrace of democracy. we are deepening that democracy

while fighting global terrorists who seek to destroy our way of life. left undefeated they will redraw the international system and make room for violent extremism and tyranny. we agree together that we can build a future in which our people of all faiths, cultures live peacefully together, with the rights of individuals and minorities protected and those in power hold -- held to account by strong and inclusive institutions. i also expressed to president obama that without building shared prosperity our vision a secure africa and indeed a stable world, will remain a fragile dream. for this reason, that kenya, an increasingly dynamic country, is continuously opening new trade

and investment frontiers across the world. i convey the hope that during his tenure in office the united states would look to develop a strong strategic partnership with africa, build on shared values and interests. i also express the hope that his visit will allow him and the people of the united states to gain an even deeper insight on africa's challenges. and this will enable them to see these challenges as an expression of great opportunities that are available here. the united states is a country of entrepreneurs. the unique capacity to build transformative businesses and i hope these entrepreneurs and investors will recognize and act on the immense opportunities kenya and africa present. and in this regard i also express my appreciation of his leadership in sheparding renewal of a goal. beyond shared values, we are

proper brothers and sisters, fellow travelers in a struggle for a better world for all and we, therefore, need to upscale our partnerships in agriculture, infrastructure and affordable energy. i also expressed my own commitment to ensuring that on our part we will continue to take the steps that provide the proper conditions for a vibrant ecosystem for investors and entrepreneurs, we agree to continue to so that we can strengthen what is already a robust relationship and indeed i look forward to hosting president obama later this evening and indeed also seeing him at the sidelines of the united nations general assembly in september. president obama, once again, on my own behalf on behalf of my government and the people of kenya, let me thank you for your support as evidenced by the various agreements signed

between our two governments and, indeed your willingness to engage kenya in the true spirit of partnership. it's now my pleasure to introduce the president to make some brief remarks as well. thank you. [ applause ] president kenyatta let me reiterate what i said. thank you for the extraordinary welcome you have given me and the kindness you have shown me since my first visit nearly 30 years ago. i'm proud to return as the first u.s. president to ever visit kenya while still in office. i need to give a special acknowledgment to everybody in alago and kusumu.

[ applause ] i'm well aware that the enthusiasm we are seeing today from my visit is a reflection of something bigger. that's the desire among the kenyan people for a deeper partnership with america. that's why i'm here. my work with the president today has been rooted in our shared recognition that the interests of both our nations and the lives of both our peoples can be advanced if our countries deepen and expand our cooperation. that's what we have agreed to today. first i want to salute the kenyan people for their progress in strengthening their democracy. millions voted for the new constitution. one of the most progressive in africa with strong protections for freedom of expression assembly and the press, and its emphasis on equality and against discrimination. the election two years ago was competitive and largely

peaceful. kenya has a determined active feisty press as we see here today. and as i have said elsewhere, a free press helps make a nation stronger and more successful. it makes us leaders more effective because it demands greater accountability. kenya has a vibrant civil society which is essential for any democracy. i look forward to meeting tomorrow with representatives from civil society who stand up for the dignity and rights of all kenyans. dignity befwingins of course with the ability to provide a decent life for our families and we want to expand the economic partnerships between our people that can provide prosperity. we'll extend student and business visas for up to five years for kenyans traveling to the united states and americans traveling to kenya to make it

easier for university students to complete studies and businesses to make long-term plans. our governments are working to launch direct flights between kenya and the united states as soon as possible. as part of our young african leaders initiative we'll continue to support promising kenyan youth as they work to become future leaders in business civil society, and government. now that we have renewed the african-american growth and opportunity act or agoa for ten years i discussed with the president how to expand economic cooperation. we are focused on infrastructure and energy. two keys to economic growth. our power africa initiative is supporting the goal of achieving its national energy needs. electricity for kenyans, by 2030. this includes bringing pour to rural kenyans who are off the grid as i saw today at the global entrepreneurship summit.

i want to commend kenya, a leader in clean energy for announcing its post 2020 target to limit carbon emissions as part of our fight against climate change. together we are confronting insidious threats to kenya's prosperity. i want to commend you on your announced commitment to rooting out corruption. with the joint commitment we have agreed to today the united states will offer advice and technical assistance to support kenya as it takes steps to increase transparency accountability and strengthen institutions that fight corruption. so we are making important commitments and now we need to work together to fulfill them. because if kenya can put in place the habits and institutions of good governance it can help unleash greater growth and investment and prosperity for the kenyan people. and that will be good for everybody.

our countries are also close partners in the fight against poachers and traffickers that threaten kenya's world famous wild life. the united states has a ban already on the commercial import of elephant ivory. i can announce that we are proposing a new rule that bans the sale of virtually all ivory across our state lines which will eliminate the market for illegal ivory in the united states. on security the united states and kenya are already strong partners. today we reaffirm that we stand united in the face of terrorism. earlier i had the opportunity to meet with survivors and families of victims of the bombing of our u.s. embassy in 1998. in the face of despicable violence such as the attack on garissa university college and the west gate mall. the kenyan people have shown incredible resolve and remarkable resilience. i want to pay tribute to the

sacrifices of kenyan forces who serve in the african union-led mission against al shabaab in somalia and thank kenya for hosting refugees who are victims of al shabaab. today we discussed deepening our security cooperation as part of the security governance initiative. our governments signed an action plan to support kenya's efforts to strengthen its judiciary, police and border security. we discussed broader efforts to counter extremism here and around the world. efforts that are advanced when there is rule of law, respect for human rights a space for civil society and peaceful dissent and when we welcome all communities as our partners. all our nations will have to work together in order for us to be successful. we also had the opportunity to discuss regional security issues. we focused in particular on the

terrible conflict in south sudan which has taken so many lives that cause unbearable suffering for the south sudanese people. the situation is dire. we agree that the best way to stop the fighting is for south sudanese leaders to put their country first with a peace agreement that ends the fighting. we also discussed barundi where the recent elections weren't credible. we are calling on the government and opposition to come together in a dialogue that leads to a political solution to the crisis and avoids the loss of more innocent life. finally, we are going to keep investing in the health and well-being of our people. our feed the future initiative is focused on reducing hunger malnutrition and poverty. we are working together to ensure that girls have access to education and that women are protected from violence. today i can announce that kenya

will be part of our dreams initiative to help keep adolescent girls safe and aids-free. across africa kenya and the united states will keep working to strengthen public health systems and deal with outbreaks and diseases before they become epidemics. together we can save lives. so thank you for the progress and new commitments we have made today. i know kenya faces persistent challenges as does the united states. but i will tell you every time i come here i'm struck by the determination and talent of the kenyan people. i look forward to the opportunity to speak to the people of kenya tomorrow about the future we can build together. [ speaking in a foreign language ] [ applause ] mr. mason? >> thank you very much. mr. president, i would like to

ask about two topics. first of all, what more specifically can the u.s. to to help kenya in the fight against al shabaab? do you see somalia as a counter terrorism model and are you concerned about authorities using counter terrorism as an excuse to commit human rights violations? secondly can you comment on the state of fwa and -- the treatment of gay and lesbians in kenya which rights groups called dismal and president kenyatta called a nonissue. for you, what more do you need from the united states to help al shabaab and are you getting it? and can you respond to the state of gay rights in your country? >> well this was an extensive topic of conversation. concrete action that we are now taking. there has been extensive and

effective counter terrorism cooperation between the united states and kenya dealing with primarily threats from al shabaab. in part because of the actions we have taken not just with kenya but with africa and the efforts collectively of countries to work together -- uganda ethiopia others. we have systematically reduced the territory that al shabaab controls. we have been able to decrease their effective control within somalia and have weakened those networks operating here in east africa. that doesn't mean the problem is