Katy Gabel
3 November 2008
Kisumu — On the eve of the U.S. presidential elections, Kenyans are elated at the prospect of an Obama win. Near Lake Victoria, where many of Obama's paternal relations live, the excitement is palpable.
Small parties are already being planned alongside larger street carnivals, and a concert is being touted as an "Obama After Party" celebration.
Obama's Kenyan relatives are making headlines. An alleged telephone call from Senator Obama to his half-brother Malik Abango made the front page of Taifa Leo, Kenya's main Swahili-language daily, and the Nairobi Star reports the family will slaughter a bull "if Obama is elected." The Star goes on to report that the family is so hopeful of an Obama victory that the bull in question has already been ordered.
Part of the excitement in Kisumu is related to the Luo identity of Obama's late father, who Barack Obama met only briefly when he was a child. Senator Obama is referred to as "wuod Luo," the son of a Luo, in t-shirts sold in the streets of Kisumu, the regional capital.
Ethnic politics play a large role in Kenya, which was convulsed by deadly violence after a disputed December 2007 election - widely criticized by international observers - edged out the opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, a Luo. In a power-sharing agreement resulting from African-mediated peace talks, Odinga is now Kenya's prime minister, while his rival, Mwai Kibaki, continues to hold the post of president.
Enoch Odhiambo Mulure, a 47-year-old Luo trader from Sakwa, a town in Siaya district (where Obama's father hails from), said he appreciates Obama because he focuses on policy, not ethnicity. "We Luos are hated. Kenyan politicians focus on ethnicity." Mulure said. "I like that Americans discuss policy, like education… Obama's policy for education involves promoting the low man – the jua kali [those who work in the "hot sun"]. I think he will pay attention to people like me."
Fifty kilometers away from Kisumu in the village of Kogelo, site of the Obama family homestead, the prospect of an Obama presidency brings with it hopes for development. Rumors of an Obama homecoming to Kogelo abound, and some expectations for his contributions to the village run unrealistically high. The East African Standard reports one local trader as saying "Obama atajenga nyumba nyingi. Ataleta stima na pia mbolea." (Obama will build many houses here. He will bring electricity and provide fertilizer.)
Journalists from major international media outlets are arriving in Kisumu to cover the Obama family's reaction to the news of election results. Two large television screens are being set up in the village, and press conferences have been planned for later this week.
Street vendors, meanwhile, have made significant profits from selling Obama-related goods, including framed portraits of the senator and greeting cards in which the senator wishes students good luck on their exams – one card reads "Yes, u can!" under a smiling photo of Obama. Another popular item available for purchase on Kisumu's streets offers two regional heroes for the price of one: a clock featuring Odinga and Obama next to each other above the phrase "two great leaders."
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"An Obama Presidency Brings Hope For Development" Hope, YES.
What is the reality? Maybe not. Not really.
That is not how things work in Washington. It is not a case of a Jomo Kenyatta or Mwai Kibaki of Kenya who will commandeer the country's resources for his tribal group.
You have to work harder. You have to know how the system works.
And Kenya/Africa doesn't have a lot of time in which to get their strategy in place. Yet this may be the most opportune time - a once in a lifetime 'window of opportunity' - that ever came your way.
I am an American who will be voting for Obama tomorrow morning. It is true that an Obama Presidency may or may not bring anything different into the African continent. I think Kenya is mainly happy for Obama because he is the son of a Kenyan man and the Luo people will finally get to see one of their own as President but in another country. I think that is mainly why the Kenyan people are happy. I don't see it as the Kenyan people being blind into thinking that Obama will become Superman and change the entire world. That would be naive and unrealistic thinking. come on now.
The United States of America (contrary to what many foreigners think and/or believe) is flawed. We are going through a recession, something America has not gone through since 1929 -- the year of the Great Depression. If elected as President, Obama is going to focus his attention on getting America's economy stable which will take a lot of time and he will work to make sure the American people either have jobs or keep their jobs. He does have Africa on the mind and he cares about Africa deeply but he sees his American people falling and he wants to be there to lift them up. Expect him to focus more attention on his own country instead of the continent Africa. It's nothing personal. I know you understand.
btw, Bush pumping aid into Africa was the only good thing he has done as President. Many Americans will agree with me on that. other than that, many Americans are happy to see Bush leave the White House and will stand in line to escort him out if needed.
Let The Kenyans and Africa Beware
The Lobbyists have always run The United Snouts who invariable find reasons to invade for the resources they require for their economy and to maintain a high standard of living
Obama will be just a front for the U.S. Africa Command, or AFRICOM, which is presently based in Germany to move to Kenya to exploit Africa's resources before China and India do.
Development aid is one of the reasons for Africa's problems. The givers of aid benefit more than the receivers. Congress demands that all aid be procured from American firms, shipped by American registered ships, and distributed by U.S.based relief organizations using their own consultants to carry out unsustainable and useless projects on the continent.
What Bush did to the Middle East, Obama will do to Africa
I just hope that all this excitment helps your leaders realize whats needed in Kenya and for its people. we all need to stick up for one another! Rich people in Kenya need to support the poor from proverty! Tammy Chicago
A coming together that enriches our world: by Seth Naicker
In light of all that is going on in the socio-economic and political life of the USA, and the ripple effects through out the world, it is of vital importance for people to be reminded of being civil and being encouraged to engage one another with respect and understanding. It is a difficult time for people to be understanding of each other, when their ideologies, philosophies and theologies are so vastly different, as is noted between committed Republican Party and Democratic Party supporters.
I was blessed with the opportunity of meeting and hearing the testimony of South African Anglican priest and social activist Father Michael Lapsley. Father Lapsley has been hailed and celebrated as an icon of the 21st century regarding possibilities of forgiveness and healing in action. Father Lapsley told of his experiences as an anti-Apartheid activist within South Africa, which led to his horrific experience of being a target of the Apartheid government and its cronies.
Father Lapsley received two religious magazines which were rigged with explosives, and upon opening his package he lost both his hands, his right eye and suffered major burns. In light of all that Father Lapsley has faced, he continues to pursue a path passionately committed to serving people, and bringing a message of hope and healing through his understanding of the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Father Lapsley has chosen to live for a common good that will benefit all of humanity.
In a world that is rigged with explosive realities of degrees of separation and difference, people must be reminded of exemplars like Father Lapsley, and many others who have laid done their rights to be angry, who have laid down their rights to take revenge, and who have chosen to pursue the dream of a world where peace reigns over war.
As November 4th, 2008 is upon us, the USA is under the watchful eyes of the world, as the result of this election will affect the US, but equally has major ramifications on the socio-economic and political systems of our 21st century world. It is my hope that people from different sides of the political spectrum, people who have different ideologies, philosophies and theologies, about how governments and societies should develop, will choose above all else to be active agents of coming together for a worthy cause of seeing a hopeful future for the USA, for my beloved South Africa and our world.
A coming together, must not driven by a melting pot assimilation notion of unity, rather a coming together that is propelled by our rich diversity of ideology, race, class gender, religion, and sexual orientation. May we be people who live for a world where our difference is embraced, accepted and revered, and not merely tolerated!
Blessings and 'alutta continua', "la lucha continua," the struggle continues. Shalom, Shanti, La Paz sea contigo, As-Salamu'Alaykum - Peace be upon you!
Yours sincerely Seth Naicker Program and projects director Office of Reconciliation Studies Bethel University 3900 Bethel Drive,# 2083 St. Paul, Minnesota 55112-6999, USA Tel: 651 638 6417 seth-naicker@bethel.edu indiAfrique - Training and Development smnaick@hotmail.com http://sethnaicker.myblogsite.com/
Realizing "The Beloved Community" : by Seth Naicker
Tonight we are blessed to witness this most historic moment. Tonight and on this day the world celebrates at the realization of president elect Barack Obama. In some ways we are tasting and realizing a glimpse of 'The Beloved Community'. May the momentum of this auspicious moment encourage leaders and people throughout the world to be the change we seek in our world's arrange. May we as fellow children of God join along in confessing "Yes we can", but may our confession lead us to action, living out our faith and living for the prophetic 'here and now' as well as the future of 'Realizing the dream' and being the 'The Beloved Community.' Blessings and 'alutta continua', "la lucha continua," the struggle continues. Shalom, Shanti, La Paz sea contigo, As-Salamu'Alaykum - Peace be upon you!
Yours sincerely Seth Naicker Program and projects director Office of Reconciliation Studies Bethel University 3900 Bethel Drive,# 2083 St. Paul, Minnesota 55112-6999, USA Tel: 651 638 6417 seth-naicker@bethel.edu indiAfrique - Training and Development smnaick@hotmail.com http://sethnaicker.myblogsite.com/
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It is time for the Kenyans in the western edge of the country to wake up. An O'bama presidency will not bring anymore dollars to the country. In fact with the O'bama administration Kenya will actually see less dollars being allocated for foreign development (including Kenya) than what the Bush Administration allocated for foreign aid. The Bush administration was actually a better friend to the African continent than any other prior president. It is time for the Kenyan people to start to look to themselves for solving internal economic issues and not rely on what will be a new president who does not and will not spend the dollars in foreign aid. Remember, ethnicity in American politics is not where to be found, and can not be a basis for aid. That is just the way it is in the US.