Well, even though we are half way around the world in Kenya, we have heard more news about the American Presidential elections than ever before. Why, you ask? Because Barack Obama is one of Kenya’s own, or at least they like to think he is, as his father is Kenyan. (We have just heard that Obama's brother actually lives in Kibera slum as well..) Everywhere you go, you can find Obama t-shirts with his picture on it, or the saying “Kenya says, YES WE CAN!”… you can find beaded bracelets with the Kenyan colors of green, red and black, and Obama’s name on it…posters suggesting people write to Obama…and the list goes on and on! People on the street or in the stores will assume that we are American, and ask who we are voting for…in Church people talk about and pray for the American elections…it’s all been pretty crazy! Most people here have NO idea what Obama stand for, they only know that he is half Kenyan and assume that Kenya will be a priority for the US, and that they will be able to get visas easier…won’t they be disappointed when they realize that things don’t work that way in the rest of the world. It makes sense for them to think that, because here in Africa, it’s all about tribes. They vote for their president based on what tribe he’s from, not based on what he stands for, or what he will do for the country. The tribe that is represented in the presidency is automatically given special privileges…it’s just how it works here. Remember the election violence in January??? It was tribal, not political. So for the Kenyans to now be so excited that AMERICA is going to have a Kenyan president??? It just couldn’t get any better than that!
There was even live coverage here in Nairobi for all those who wanted to watch the elections and voting coverage today! Extra police were called in to parole the streets of Nairobi in the event that Obama would win the presidency…and now that he has won…President Kibaki declared that tomorrow is a holiday in Kenya! No joke!! Nobody is working tomorrow and everybody is partying because the United States elected Barack Obama as their next president!! What??? So, we are on holiday tomorrow as well, here in Nairobi, and all for the new American president…
There was even live coverage here in Nairobi for all those who wanted to watch the elections and voting coverage today! Extra police were called in to parole the streets of Nairobi in the event that Obama would win the presidency…and now that he has won…President Kibaki declared that tomorrow is a holiday in Kenya! No joke!! Nobody is working tomorrow and everybody is partying because the United States elected Barack Obama as their next president!! What??? So, we are on holiday tomorrow as well, here in Nairobi, and all for the new American president…
4 comments:
Wow...unreal! That's crazy, and yet, not in their eyes I guess. I forgot that he has Kenyan roots. Hopefully, there won't be a fallout when they realize that it won't make much difference for them as Kenyans.
I had no idea that Obama was half Kenyan and I've had to write papers on him and everything! I think there is a lot that the public doesn't know about him actually.
Well enjoy your day off!! :)
It is appreciated how you express yourself about Kenya but for Kenyans your story is more of an outsider's story, If I was in your situation as a missionary who wants to know and help the Kenyans I would be more sensitive to their pespective and understand that though they may not be helped by Obama directly they have a story and a song to celebrate about his winning cos it's a historical moment not only for kenyans but for the whole world. Here in the US the African Americans, the Latino's and the Natives feel empowered and they have had celebrations like the Kenyans and they don't take this less serious. We know that Obama may have differnt views than main stream Christians but his winning means more than just that, it means a change of History and a statement that anyone even the minorities including the women can make it to become the most powerful leaders of any government or institution.
Thanks for the last comment...(I don't know who wrote it..) and I do appreciate what you have to say, but I just want to add that we ARE outsiders here, trying to understand and figure out this new country we are in, and this is information that we have gotten from both Kenyans and American missionaries alike, not just our own opinion. But we appreciate what you had to say, and apologize for offending in any way..
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