Kenyan president cancels trip to U.S. over airstrikes in Yemen

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday cancelled his visit to U.S. and returned home due to increased military activity in Yemen, spokesman Manoah Esipisu said in a statement in Nairobi.

Mr. Kenyatta left Nairobi on Thursday evening on board his official Kenya Airforce aircraft for Dubai, the United Arab Emirates; where he was to connect a commercial flight to Los Angeles.

Esipisu explained that the plane carrying Kenyatta landed in Nairobi at 11.42 p.m. local time following routing challenges.

“Following reports of increased military activity in Yemen, there was a challenge on the routing, leading to a decision to turn back.

“The President touched the ground at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 11.42 p.m.,” Esipisu said.

Mr. Kenyatta was due to meet a host of leading American investors to discuss investment opportunities in Kenya.

Esipisu said he was to speak on the investment climate in Kenya and expound on what government was doing to enhance local economy and attract foreign businesses and capital in key growth-driven areas.

(Xinhua/NAN)