KENYA: President Mwai Kibaki congratulates U.S. President-elect Barack Obama on behalf of proud nation

Record ID: 361288

  • Title: KENYA: President Mwai Kibaki congratulates U.S. President-elect Barack Obama on behalf of proud nation
  • Date: 6th November 2008
  • Summary: (W3) NAIROBI; KENYA (NOVEMBER, 5 2008) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF NAIROBI RESIDENTS CELEBRATING OBAMA'S VICTORY
  • Embargoed: 21st November 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: International Relations,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVACSCUPPSAGOWAMLPA79S9QWL88
  • Story Text: Kenya's president sends a congratulatory message to U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, saying his victory was Kenya's own victory.
    Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki sent a congratulatory message to Barack Obama on Wednesday (November 5) upon his election as the 44th President of the United States of America.
    In his message, Kibaki noted that President-elect Obama's convincing victory was a clear testimony of the confidence the American people have not only in his leadership and vision for his country but for the world at large.
    "On behalf of the government and people of Kenya, and on my own behalf, I join the rest of the world in celebrating and congratulating you on your election as the 44th President of the United States of America," said Kibaki.
    At the same time the head of state declared Thursday (November 6) a public holiday to enable Kenyans celebrate the historic achievement by Senator Obama, whose father was Kenyan.
    "This is a momentous day not only in the history of the United States of America, but also for us in Kenya. The victory of Senator Obama is our own victory because of his roots here in Kenya. As a country, we are full of pride for his success," said the president.
    Some Kenyans donning Obama's T-shirts and waving placards bearing his portrait took to the streets of Nairobi to celebrate the election result.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register