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Face Off: Kenyans and Journalists in Kogelo
November 04, 2008 3:20 PM
By DANA HUGHES, ABC News, KOGELO, Kenya 
Kogelo is usually a sleepy village in western Kenya, with a population of less than 5,000, but today that population skyrocketed -- not by Kenyans moving in, but rather journalists. Barack Obama's father hails from this village; his stepgrandmother and much of his extended family still live here.
And so television crews, print reporters, photojournalists and radio reporters from all over the world have poured into Kogelo to cover the village's response to the U.S. elections.
The normally empty dispensary next to Obama’s Secondary School at Kogelo is full of live trucks, and 4x4s. While Kenyans on the whole are a hospitable people, the invasion of journalists isn't necessarily welcome.
There are several armed police patrolling the family's homestead to block access for journalists.
I spoke to Said Obama, the Illinois senator’s uncle, who lamented the complete lack of privacy the family now has. He says relatives have received literally thousands of interview requests from journalists, and he called managing the media "a full-time job."
At a prayer service this afternoon, Obama's stepgrandmother, also known affectionately as "Mama Sara," made an appearance. During the service, which had nearly an equal amount of journalists attending as villagers, she asked through a translator, to be able to pray in peace.
At the same time, there are plenty of Kenyans who are finding ways to cash in on the journalist frenzy. Local Luo men "in the know" are charging a pretty penny to act as fixers. My fixer even told me there's a "market rate" right now.
In Kisumu town, the largest city in western Kenya, fundraisers for an orphanage are selling Obama buttons with his image along with phrases like "Reclaiming the American Dream" and " President for the World." The buttons were being snatched up quickly.
All of Kenya is watching (some would say obsessing over) the U.S. election, and there are hundreds of journalists here watching them. But when the journalists leave and the hype settles down, some people are starting to ask what an Obama win, or loss would actually mean for the day-to-day life of Kenyans.
November 4, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (53)
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kenyans need to realize that if Senator Obama becomes the president of USA, he will rule in fairness regardless of his background. It is time for them to move on with their own lives & not become obssessed with elections that matter more to the Americans.
Posted by: greg | Nov 4, 2008 3:40:08 PM
For me and many African Youth,wether Obama becomes America's Preseident or not he will always be a source of inspiration: with HARD WORK AND HOPE ONE CAN ACHIEVE HIS/HER GOALS
Posted by: azee | Nov 4, 2008 3:40:12 PM
He is not even close to that side of his family. Why would the media be anyplace but here?
Posted by: becky (the real one) | Nov 4, 2008 3:40:43 PM
Can someone check his birth certificate while they are over there?
Posted by: mike freeman | Nov 4, 2008 3:59:22 PM
McCain was not born in the United States
Posted by: Akili | Nov 4, 2008 4:12:12 PM
Gregg you need to shut up. The Kenyan people are not stupid. Presidential candidate Obama has no other choice but to be fair. This is all they have with the killing and hunger going on over there, let them be intrigued about what is going on with someone they can relate to.
Posted by: Tonia | Nov 4, 2008 4:14:18 PM
Inpirational, sensational and mesmerizing.
Posted by: Gedle | Nov 4, 2008 4:15:59 PM
Does anyone realize that we are all of America is from different parts of the world? I don't see anyone going down to McCain's hometown of Panama to see what the reaction there is. come on! I think it a great thing that Obama has this culture. It is amazing for African Americans to be proud of that. The AFrican Americans here also came from Africa. It would be a good thing to trace history, lineage and also language. Doesn't African Americans here realize that they are also from parts of Africa?? I don't get it. Maybe it hasn't sunk it yet. But Good Grief people be proud and stand tall for your own culture and heritage. If they were electing the first Native American president, I would be crying my eyes out!
Posted by: janedoe345 | Nov 4, 2008 4:20:09 PM
Akilie....McCain was born in Panama while his father was on active duty. Check your facts... Obama is the one whose birth certificate is in question. If he is an American citizen, then he shouldn't be so secretive about the place of his birth and trying to hide the birth certificate.
Posted by: Barb | Nov 4, 2008 4:20:49 PM
Obama loves the fact that is has ties in Africa. I don't think he would deny it or reject it. I beleive he does embrace it. But, so does money. The reporters are looking for a story on Obama. They are on assignment to utilizing his extended family as a means to gain. The media is just selling stories for a buck. Some how the media beleives that people are interested in knowing about his connection to Kenya. When you have more people looking at the news the more powerful the networks becomes and the more money the news can ask for. Money, money, money, money, darn it! You got to love it or hate it. No matter what anyone thinks money strikes again.
Posted by: Money Strikes Again | Nov 4, 2008 4:21:24 PM
I think people are excited to see a black man being recognized and remeber that ,it not that they are expecting any help from ,him.
As far as noting that he is not close to his family . It is not a big deal
because Obama was born in USA and he is an American Citizen he does not know the African culture regurding extended families and so on. Actually he deserves a credit for taking the interest to know his roots and I am sure that is the far he is going to go . His responsibility is in US.
Posted by: james | Nov 4, 2008 4:25:07 PM
Barb... Who said his birth certificate was in question? Where is he being secretive? Ok yea his father was on active duty, but was he still not born in the Panama Canal.
Posted by: Tonia | Nov 4, 2008 4:26:00 PM
Posted by: BDavis | Nov 4, 2008 4:26:31 PM
People from every country watch the US election closely. Since 1975, I've lived in nearly a dozen nations and visited dozens. Everywhere people are actively concerned because our thoughts and actions affect them, too.
Unfortunately, most of what they hear and see and "know" about us is fictional, seen through the filters of limited media outlets and tyrannical governments.
Posted by: traveler | Nov 4, 2008 4:34:33 PM
his aunt lives in public housing in boston and he apparently had little contact with her.....if hes wanting to take care of people ,why diidnt he start with his own family?????? answer,he would have to use his own money instead of ours!!!!!!!
Posted by: Chad | Nov 4, 2008 4:41:31 PM
Barack Obama was born in Hawaii, which--despite what some of you may think or wish--IS a state in the United States of America. A certified copy of your birth certificate is what you get when you request your birth certificate from any state's department of records. The state doesn't send you the original! That's how it works, and I speak as someone who has had to request my birth certificate from my home state and received a certified copy.
Posted by: Done with the Birth Certificate Thing | Nov 4, 2008 4:45:29 PM
Obama's birth certificate IS in question. There is record of his birth in a Kenyan hospital, not Honolulu. His mother was not old enough to claim his birth in Honolulu after returning from Kenya where she gave birth. He later lost his US citizenship in Indonesia. How did he re-enter the US? Why doesn't anyone question whether he is even eligible??? Can he even prove his citizenship??
Posted by: Rose C | Nov 4, 2008 4:52:38 PM
If Obama elected he will inspire and change the world. He is tested in the long electorial process. He did not evolve of nothing.His message is strong.
He is a man of deeds not words. He might not change Kenya but he will show
the world how Kenyans can change themselves.
Posted by: mike | Nov 4, 2008 4:53:03 PM
A vote for Obama today is a vote for Joe Biden for president. Once the truth comes out, Obama will be removed based on his ineligibility. Biden will then become president.
Posted by: Proud to be Alaskan | Nov 4, 2008 4:57:40 PM
This artical is such a joke!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Joey | Nov 4, 2008 5:06:51 PM
Heaven help us if BO becomes president.
I am for us having a third party. Not everyone is for McCain or Obama so some of us do not even have a choice for a president. I am tired of the "lesser of two evils" or "Don't waste your vote" attitudes.
McCain is not conservative enough for me.
Posted by: also proud to be an Alaskan | Nov 4, 2008 5:10:10 PM
It doesn't actually matter if he was born on the moon. The Supreme Court long ago defined "naturally born American" to mean someone whose mother was an American citizen, irrespective of where that person was when they were actually born. that's the only reason McCain can run for President, and the exact same thing applies to Obama.
Posted by: Dan | Nov 4, 2008 5:12:33 PM
I thought we were voting for the President of the United States of America. Not the United States of African-American. This has nothing to do with skin color and everything to do with philosophy. A shame that Obama will never put the hard working majority who try to make America great, first.
Posted by: Ian | Nov 4, 2008 5:15:10 PM
Joey, the joke is never funny when it's on you. You have 8-years to get over it!!!
Posted by: dmac1 | Nov 4, 2008 5:15:40 PM
Actually Ian, he will, McCain wont.
Posted by: Dan | Nov 4, 2008 5:19:38 PM
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