When Barack Obama, then a senator from Illinois, made a speech at the University of Nairobi in 2006, he hoped that it would be interpreted as an honest, well-meaning accounting of a sad state of affairs that needed to change.
It was a straight-shooting speech that ended up ruffling feathers.
"Like many nations across this continent, where Kenya is failing is in its ability to create a government that is transparent and accountable; one that serves its people and is free from corruption.." senator Barack Obama said.
“But while corruption is a problem we all share, here in Kenya it is a crisis - a crisis that’s robbing an honest people of the opportunities they have fought for; the opportunity they deserve, " he added.
That speech, which called out corruption in no uncertain terms, would not go down well with the then spokesman of the Kibaki-led administration, Dr Alfred Mutua.
Within days of the hard-hitting speech, Dr Mutua hit back at the Illinois senator.
He accused Senator Barack Obama of making disturbing statements which showed that the American legislator was not well-informed.
Dr Mutua took issue with what he called Obama's choice to lecture the government and the people of Kenya.
"During his public address at the University of Nairobi, Senator Obama made extremely disturbing statements on issues which it is clear he was very poorly informed, and on which he chose to lecture the Government and the people of Kenya on how to manage our country," Dr Alfred Mutua said.