KENYA: Barack Obama's Kenyan relatives head to the US for President's inauguration.

Record ID: 362581

  • Title: KENYA: Barack Obama's Kenyan relatives head to the US for President's inauguration.
  • Date: 15th January 2009
  • Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (JANUARY 15, 2008) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SAMSON OBAMA ARRIVING AT JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WITH OTHER RELATIVES (SOUNDBITE) (Swahili) SAMSON OBAMA, US PRESIDENT ELECT BARACK OBAMA'S HALF BROTHER, SAYING: "Right now I'm feeling so happy, so filled with excitement and I dont know how to describe it in words. I am feeling so emotional." SIGN READING
  • Embargoed: 30th January 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAB4IF91YR3MSM15LV2NGFGORBH
  • Story Text: President elect Barack Obama's half-brother Samson Obama is one of several close family members from Kenya headed to the U.S for the presidential inauguration.
    President elect, Barack Obama's close family members from Kenya have begun their journey to the United States where some will attend the presidential inauguration on Tuesday (January 20).
    Obama's half brother Solomon Obama, one of Barack Obama Senior's sons left Nairobi on Thursday (January 15) and says he is looking forward to being part of the ceremony that will see the installation of the first African-American president of the United States.
    "Right now I'm feeling so happy, so filled with excitement and I dont know how to describe it in words. I am feeling so emotional," said Obama.
    Barack Obama's 87-year-old grandmother, Sarah Obama and other relatives including his half sister Auma Obama are also expected to leave by the weekend.
    Born in Hawaii to a white mother from Kansas and a Kenyan father, Barack Obama is idolised by many Kenyans. Babies have been named after Obama, drinkers knock back "Senator" and "President" beers in his honour and pop stars sing his praises in the East African country where his late father hailed from.
    Days of celebration are expected ahead of the inauguration, in Kogelo, a tiny village where Obama's grandmother lives.
    Solomon Obama hopes the inauguration in the U.S. will be a good time for a family reunion.
    "The last time was 2006 when he came here to Kenya he was on an official visit that's when I saw him here in Nairobi and he even came home to Kogelo that was the last time we saw
    each other," Obama said.
    "When I get there first of all I will check in to my hotel then I will see how the arrangements are. Then when the big day reaches we will go as a family," Obama added.
    Africans hope an Obama presidency will mean more U.S. support for the majority on the world's poorest continent.
    However, analysts have warned that Obama will be able to do little to bring tangible benefits to Africa, and that he does not have a strong track record of interest in the continent.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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