The US President will make a historic visit to his father's homeland, Kenya.

According to AFP, on March 30, the White House announced that US President Barack Obama will make his long-awaited visit to Kenya this summer.

This will be Obama's first visit to his father's homeland since becoming President of the United States six years ago.

US President Barack Obama. (Source: The Huffington Post)

The White House statement said that during his visit to Kenya this coming July, Obama will attend the Global Enterprise Summit (GES) in the East African nation.

During much of Obama's presidency, several Kenyan leaders were prosecuted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), including President Kenyatta, who was accused of involvement in the post-election violence of 2007-2008.

According to an unnamed White House official, President Obama will meet with Mr. Kenyatta.

Previously, the United States had repeatedly raised concerns with the Kenyan government about restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The official asserted that Obama's visit "will create another opportunity for dialogue with the government and civil society on these issues."

Obama has visited Africa four times since taking office, but he has never been to Kenya, where he still has relatives.

President Obama's background has been a subject of much domestic controversy.

Some hardline political opponents argue that Obama was not born in the United States and therefore is not qualified to be president. Meanwhile, Obama's allies say the accusation is racially charged.

According to VNA