BallotVox

Kenyans Excited About Obama

Judith appears to be a graduate student and NGO intern who spends a good deal of time in Africa. She was in Kenya when Obama won the necessary delegates for the Democratic nomination, and she recorded an op-ed in the local paper (hat tip to Ann Raber):

[judester1213 / Flickr]

To read the text, try the large version of the photo. Judith confirms that the op-ed author isn’t the only one who’s jubilant (thanks again, Ann Raber):

Kenyans are crazy for Obama. While I am beyond elated to read of his securing of the democratic nomination, my new colleagues are even more incredibly excited by the news of a Kenyan reaching the White House. Without sounding too snarky or arrogant, it’s almost amusing to witness the sense of connection to Barrack Obama that people feel here – in comparison to the American public’s demonstrated conception of Obama’s ‘Africaness.’ That said, hip hip hooray! November is getting brighter everyday and should Barrack win the election I expect to see not just great things emerge domestically (in the US) – the abridged version of his nomination speech brought tears to my eyes (is this hope?!?) – but also imagine a wave of empowerment washing across all of Africa.

David Zarembka, a Quaker peace worker in Kenya, writes that his daily paper sold out before he could buy a copy because everyone wanted to read about Obama:

In Kenya, as far as I know in all the cultures, descent is through the father. Therefore Kenyans consider Obama a Kenyan regardless of the fact that he has visited Kenya only a few times and hardly knew his father. I heard that in Siaya, where his father came from, there was a big celebration on his victory yesterday.[…]

In the paper today (I had to read it on-line) one columnist noted that the elation over Obama’s victory is so great that you would think he was running for president of Kenya or even all of Africa.

Proud Kikuyu Woman at the Kenyan group blog Kumekucha was caught up in that elation:

Our brother, oh! He effectively sealed the nomination jana, totally making history. I pray that he goes on to change A-Merry-Car as it has been known for the last 232 years or so. Now, that’s change I can believe in. And you thought A-Merry-Cans could teach us a thing or two about diversity at the top? Not till November this year, or is it 9th of January next year?

There must be some Kenyans who don’t support Obama (or who feel Obamamania detracts from more important local issues), but we couldn’t find any on a first foray into the Kenyan blogosphere. Can you help?