East African Business Week (Kampala)
Bobi Odiko
15 November 2008
opinion
You are invited to Obama's swearing-in ceremony in Kogelo, Kisumu! Parking starts in Kericho. Make sure you make your way early enough so that you do not park in Nakuru (about 280 km away)", screams a short message service I received on my cellfone on Nov 5, 2008, immediately Obama was named as President-elect of the United States of America.
What followed was jubilation in EAC and in various parts of the continent, a sign that the victory resonated well and was received with pride and gratification. All East African leaders congratulated Obama for winning the polls. Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki later received a telephone call from the White House bound Barack Obama.
The regional media continues to be awash attributing headlines and lead stories to the famous victory. Nobody wants to miss a piece of the action - including that of his ancestry and roots.
A by-lined frontpage story in a local newspaper in Tanzania recently reported that Mr Obama has Tanzanian blood flowing in his veins as well. According to the story, Obama's grandmother on his father's side had hailed from the Kowak Village in Tarime in Tanzania's Mara Region which borders south western Kenya. His dad Senior Barrack Obama hailed from Kogelo in Kenya now, famously referred to as "Illinois".
Victory for the 47 year old Barack Obama ushers in true wind of change as he becomes the first Afro-America in White House.
Indeed, EAC will be casting an eye into the period after January 20, 2009, when he formally takes up the control of the world's economic, military and political powerhouse.
Personally, I believe the easier part has been won. The period ahead is the real test. It portends one to ask what will East Africa gain out of an Obama presidency? After eight years of a Republican government seen as somewhat partial to the region, one is eager to see just how things will change with the Democrats in charge. Perhaps, the notable would be an increase in regional tourism with tourists eager to visit the once sleepy Kogelo and East Africa in general.
Lately, the region has also been famously pro-free market allowing it relatively easy access to Bretton Woods' credit. One would be happier for sure if aid was reduced, and trade on the other side increased to cushion the weakening global economic outlook which smacks of prolonged recession. And it may be in the best interest for Obama to negotiate with the Bretton Woods to pave way in strengthening of financial arena to give more power to the emerging markets in Asia and Africa. The multimillion HIV/AIDS initiatives started by Bush have also received a nod from Obama and therefore one hopes they shall continue to save the millions of deserving lives. New scopes of cooperation in terrorism among other areas may need to be defined or re-defined as well.
But fundamentally, what we as East Africa may gain most from are the lessons learned. The euphoria of an Obama Presidency should lead to more and deeper soul searching for the region. Nigerian President Yar Adua seemed to sum it all up when he intimated that in Africa, votes are cast on basis of ethnic affiliation, patronage opportunities and geography among other things. This may very well be the reason why we do not celebrate our very own leaders as much as we are celebrating Obama, and secondly, why there are few if any, good leaders the region can feel good about.
The whole Obama affair reverberates a new feeling of Africanness and a confident aura to go with it.
The Obama story is one of inspiration that the leadership in East Africa and the continent generally should aspire for. It is a good thing that come January 2009, an African -American or better put one of Africa's gallant sons will be in the White House. One hopes that it shall be the beginning of serious and careful examination of the heart by the African continent often referred to in the west - and wrongfully so, as the "Black Continent".
The writer comments on socio-economic issues and is based in Arusha
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