Katy Gabel
5 November 2008
Kogelo Village, Western Kenya — Kenya is ecstatic at the news of Barack Obama's historic election as president of the United States. Upon hearing news of their beloved "son's" win Wednesday morning (East Africa Time), residents of Kogelo village burst into song and cheers of joy.
Kogelo, about 50 kilometres from Kisumu, the capital of Nyanza Province, is home to Barack Obama's Kenyan relatives, and is where his father, Barack Obama Sr. was born.
About 50 foreign journalists have been reporting from the village over the past week in hopes of capturing just such a moment. However, the Obama family has kept relatively quiet, choosing to make statements to the press through their elected family spokesperson for the week, Obama's half-brother, Malik Abango .
Following today's announcement, journalists were invited to a section of the Obama homestead to join some members of the family to view Obama's acceptance speech. The relatives, along with some neighbors, cheered, sang and gave the "thumbs-up" sign at Obama's words.
In a brief press conference following the speech, Abango told journalists the family wants to express "extreme gratitude and appreciation of the American people."
This "gratitude" is evident outside the homestead as well. American flags, stars-and-stripes-themed clothing and slogans praising America are highly visible today. One very small, sleepy restaurant in Siaya town, the nearest town to Kogelo, was playing CNN International to a small but rapturous audience, one of whom was wearing an American flag hat.
The Obama family's life in Kenya will be different from here out. Beyond being the center of international media attention, the family will have new responsibilities in their village.
"Things are going to change [for us]... We have projects... We have to provide for our people," Abango said. As for the rumors of a Kenyan-style Obama homecoming to Kogelo, Abango said: "I know right now that if you check his appointment book, I bet you he'll get here as soon as he can."
But what will will an Obama presidency really mean for Kenya, where Obama, who scarcely knew his Kogelo-born father, is held in such esteem?
Abango said that Kenyans can take away the values of "true democracy, and what humility is all about."
The Kenyan government has declared a national holiday this week in honor of Obama.
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It's funny and silly how us black people are. Specially african people have the habit of abondoning kids all over. All credit goes to the mother and step father of Obama who raised this boy to be the man he is today. The last time Obama saw his father, he was only 10 years old. Now you want to claim the boy because he is now a president? this remind me of Shack Oneil the nba player. who's father wanted to be his father again just because the man became rich. Where were you when the boy was looking for a father figure? Obama does make us all proud. Still we have to learn to take care of our responsabilities. Obama don't care about africa he just wanted to know his root. That is the dream of all black americans to know where they came from. If i'm lying why wasn't his Gramma from kenya or his half sister from Kenya present in Chicago and I bet they won't even be at the inaugural ceremony. you are to be ashamed of yourselves.
Bush actually has benefited Africa more than any previous US President before by his unprecedented financial support in the fight against AIDS. However, the only way Africa will have any sustained upward trend isn't by looking to foreign countries like the USA but by looking inwards and getting rid of the strings of dictators who are the parasites that suck up any vitality in the continent.
We Americans hear your joy at the triumph of Obama winning the election. Americans now feel a sense of relief that the world will be a better place with President-elect Obama leading the charge!
Peace.
Read more about the story on www.raverantrage.blogspot.com
"Kenyan government has declared a national holiday this week "
Poor Kenyans.
Clueless.
The celebration of the damned.
What does it matter that President-elect Obama does not have any Kenyan roots outside of his father who abandoned him, this man is the first African in America to ever become president in the history of America, Isn't that enough for us Africans? Why be so damn negative toward each other! Even if you don't fully believe in his message, the American system, etc. Please just allow the people that do the opportunity to have hope! Let us just for a moment believe that the world is going color blind and it no longer will judge us dark skinned, full lips, wide nosed Africans just by our God given features but by the content of our character. Just for a moment, let those who understand the History of America, Europe and African relations over the past 400 years reflect on the historical value of this moment. There is a GOD!
"Isn't that enough for us Africans?"
Africa has had its share of renown leaders throughout history. You seem to think that Obama would be the first one. Unless you think that there is more to an African leading non-Africans. In which case I should remind you that historical records indicate that North African conquerors ruled Europe's native masses for generations ..
"There is a GOD!"
Only one? All of them?
Help us out. There is Nyasaye and Ngai. And Obatala and Nana. There is Allah. And Unumbotte. And Yahweh. And Unkulunkulu and Mwari. And the great Zeus the many other Greek deities. And the numerous Egyptian deities. And Azanagi of the Japanese deities. And there some more among the American Indians and the Asian societies.
Hey you all, I just wanted to give a general comment. What has pahhened in USA has to be a good example and a lesson to both african countries and all developed countries.
Why can a black be happy? I don't think they should be happy because Barack Obama's being a black can change the black people's way of living. But they should be happy for that the Martine Luther King prophecy is fulfulled. As a reminder, the whole world is so happy about his thoughts not his color.
As I have been listening to different comments from Africa, a lot of african people have more expectations. But you all should know that Obama is elected as an USA president, who should work hand in hand with other EU president, chineese president, Indian and so on. Beside, alone he can't make it that is why he needs American people more than others. However, he is willing to change , especially change in America, but you all know that a human being is a human being. So, my point here is that you all don't even have to argue, because any AID which he will give to developing country won't be signed on by only Obama but the USA government which is not made of one person.
''A great change 'will be and it has already made ( since it is the first time to elect a Black president,, but what a lot of people are expecting as a chnage might not be the change America will change!
So, let us only give us a better hope that we can learn and be some thing in our lives. Let it be an example for a lot of African politicians that during election ''the someone ''shouldn't count but ''thoughts ''should count a lot. Let us all think of our county as a country to all but not to a certain group of people.
For developed countries, let's us learn from USA thart colour shouldn't mean a lot but what someone can, should mean a lot of things.
Finally, I just wanted to mention, one last thing. It may happen that Obama's victory evoke jealousy among those kenyans who don't have the same tribe as Obama's father. So,you have to be careful guys, don't poison your neibour because of Obama's victory. Don't fight because of Obama's victory. I am telling you the truth that if your happiness will put you in such things, you will put America coming to solve some unnecesesary wars ( while Obama is against spending the USA money, in solving wars and stuff).
If African are really happy with what has happened in the usa, then imress Obama and let's find the way to end some stupid conflicts we put into ourselves.
Before ending up guys, just take care of anything you say, you comment to tv-journalists, because this may change everything, this may change even small relationship which could there in solving extreme poverty. Never and never think that: you will work up in the monring continue drinking alcohol, beating your wife, stopping your kids to go at school, andthen hope that Obama can help you from poverty if you are not a first step in this case. So, I hope you better make a difference on your own.
-Again, Obama was elected by people from all colours and from both democrates and those who were repablicans. So, make sure you control your hope, otherwise you might end up insulting!!!
Do you want a feather discussion?
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i want 2 join in 2 thanks d AMERICAN people 4 their benovelent gesture they ve made in electing senate mr.obama as d president of USA.I ld like 2 advice mr obama 2 seriously take into consideration d effect of foreign policy of USA ve on d world n servive as guidance 4 him in executing his duty not only 4 USA bt also d world at large.MR OBAMA I WISH U ALL D BEST OF LUCK U WISH 4 YOUR SELF.MORE OF MY ADVICE LL COME LATER ON.BYE 4 NOW.