President Obama pays 'obviously personal' visit to Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya -- President Obama is making history as the first U.S. president to visit the African nation of Kenya. He calls this trip "obviously personal."

The people of Kenya lined the streets Saturday to cheer President Obama as he made his way through the capital of Nairobi.

"Welcome home, or as we say, 'karibu nyumbani,'" Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said.

Those words from the Kenyan president have dual meaning for the American leader.

This marks the nation's first visit from a sitting U.S. president but for President Obama, it marks something more.

"Obviously this is very personal for me. There's a reason why my name's Barack Hussein Obama. My father came from these parts," he said.

The visit was reminiscent of a family reunion. Friday night, the president hugged his half-sister as he arrived at the airport and then dined with dozens of members of his extended family.

President Obama has been to Kenya four times before, but this is his first as president.

He ran through a list of official events on Saturday but things got a bit tense when he faced off with Kenya's president on issues from terrorism to gay rights.

"The idea that they are going to be treated differently or abused because of who they love is wrong," President Obama said.

"There are some things that we must agree we don't share. Our culture, our societies don't accept (homosexuality)," President Kenyatta said.

Security is tight, with many roads shut down.

A highlight of his visit is expected Sunday in a speech to thousands of Kenyans in the sports arena where he will talk about the symbolism of his trip and his personal connection to the country.