Obama Fever!

So this blog post is only about three months overdue. I have been wanting to write on here about the sincere love and pride that folks here in Kenya have for our next president. His father was from Kisumu, which is not near here, but still, the pride is very strong. It is apparent in the music, clothing, rumors, naming of things and the fact that walking down the street you often hear his name come up in conversations. In fact, President Kibaki was so thrilled with Obama's victory, that he declared the day after Obama's victory a national holiday to honor him! You didn't even get that in America did you?

The first thing I encountered that was all about Barack was a song by Coco Tea.

This song is played all over the place. Every club plays it at least once a night. People blast it from their cars. I once met a three year old who was running around the house singing it. I was hoping that it might make it as his campaign theme song, but no luck. There are several other good Obama songs (all available on youtube), but this one is my favorite.

When walking through the streets you see his name and face all over. There are boys who sell posters, usually of Premier League football teams, maps, celebrities and animals, who are now also selling Obama posters. Most of them are photo collages with pictures of him and his family and funny quotes to go along with them. My favorite is one where Obama and McCain's faces have been photoshopped onto the bodies of athletes. I can't explain the hilarity, but once my camera is back up and working I will send along a picture. If you go into stores, many have his picture hanging on the wall, just below the Kenyan president's. Then, if you go to the market, there are people selling kangas, which are brightly colored clothes that are worn around the waist and shoulders. There are several with President Obama on them. The one I just purchased Has his picture in the middle, flanked by two maps of Africa. At the bottom it says "Upendo na amani ametujalia mungu" which means something like "God will grant peace and love" (if someone with better Swahili skills wants to correct me, please do)

I recently met a small baby who was called Obama. Here, when there is something special about the time a person was born, they are sometimes named for that special event, whether it be a time of year, historical event, etc. For example, my friend's aunt was born during the Pepsi launch in Africa and her name was therefore, Pepsi. By the same token, some children who are born now, are being named Obama. I have also seen two of the new shops around Likoni which have his name: "Obama's Wine and Spirits" and "Obama Community Phone Center"

In addition to seeing him all over, you hear about him too. The rumors about Obama started a long time ago. As rumors tend to do, they change, there are dozens of versions and sometimes they are heard by young impressionable children who believe them. "What will Obama do for Kenya" is a popular topic and the possible answers vary a great deal. I have heard some of the following:

• There will now be direct flights from Kisumu to the White House


• All Luos (his tribe) will receive American Visas


• All Kenyans will receive American Visas and Americans will all receive Kenyan Visas


• Kenya will now get more foreign aid.


• Kenya will be the "51st State" in the US

Again, sometimes these are told to me by small children and the other 95% of the time it is told to me in jest. I hope that Obama will do something for this country, but what many people have said is that the biggest thing he can give Kenya is hope for the future and the motivation to continue to work on the issues that plague this country. I guess we shall see how it all works out, although it sounds like he has his hands full at the moment...

Ok enough of the Obama stuff for now, but I wanted to let you all know that he is everywhere here. They love him a lot and really respect what he has been able to accomplish. Many people feel like if he can become president then surly they too can accomplish great things. I have a disposable camera while I try to get mine fixed and I have a few great Obama pictures on there. Hope all is well over there! Love from Obama's Father land!

PS: It is also interesting to note that in Swahili the words baraka/barack mean blessing/blessings respectively. Swahili has its origins in Arabic and a Bantu language. Barack is one of the words that comes from Arabic. So our new president's name means blessings. Now I missed out on most of the BS about the fact that Hussein is his middle name, but I don't know if anyone ever cared to mention this little fact.