AllAfrica's Katy Gabel blogs from the birthplace of Barack Obama's father in western Kenya on the first responses to his historic victory. East Africa Time is eight hours ahead of U.S. Eastern time.

7.54 am: A group of Kenyans, including relatives and neighbors, have gathered at the Obama homestead. A group of men and women in front of a television broadcasting breaking news from the U.S. are ululating and singing "we are ready to take the White House."

Nearby, a spit is being prepared for what is sure to be a huge feast later in the day.

7.23 am: "Obama has put Kenya... And the entire continent of Africa on the map," said Bishop Washington Ogonyo Ngede, announcing the results.

7.19 am: Obama's win was just announced. Song, dance and a spontaneous parade started in a matter of seconds.

12 am: It's still early, but Kisumu residents are setting up for a late night of waiting for returns from the United States. A large screen has been installed in the city's largest public park, and MSNBC is available at a number of the city's bars and restaurants. I'm watching a muted footage from an American television station with a medley of locally-produced songs praising Obama. "Tomorrow will be somewhat chaotic," one bar patron tells me.