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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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Ian, thanks for showing your true colors. Being GW has ran a corrupt government for Americans that share his values...it is past time the we have a President that represents the entire country, and in less that 3-hours that exactly what you will get. Cheers to the prosperity of a Nation!!
Posted by: dmac1 | Nov 4, 2008 5:21:34 PM
I AM SO PROUD OF B OBAMA.I'M AN AFRICAN
AMERICAN..BORN HERE.OUR PEOPLE AS MANY
OTHERS..HAVE HELPED BUILD THIS COUNTRY,
THIS GREAT NATION. WE AS A PEOPLE NEVER
BECAME FEARFUL WHEN OTHER PRESIDENTS BE
CAME RULERS.WE ACCEPTED THAT.REMEMBER...
GOD IS IN CONTROL.NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS.WE THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY TO
FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION, SEEK JUSTICE,
EQUALITY,EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL, REGARDLES
S OF COLOR. WE ALL BLEED THE SAME.
THE SAME GOD CREATED US ALL. MUCH LOVE!!
Posted by: Nubian Queen | Nov 4, 2008 5:28:33 PM
If you think Obama wasn't born in the US, you really need to read this web page. It completely debunks this ridiculous theory:
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html
Posted by: Jack | Nov 4, 2008 5:33:24 PM
janedoe345 |
You check your own facts. Unless you are willing to deny Obama's mother her citizenship rights, below is the definition of an American citizen. The constitution calls for native-born citizens. So you pick Either they both qualify or both do not qualify. You pick. For sure neither of them are naturalized citizens .... gOBama
American citizen:
Someone born in the U.S., someone born outside the U.S. to a U.S. citizen parent, or one who has naturalised or obtained a certificate of citizenship.
Posted by: peak | Nov 4, 2008 5:34:20 PM
Obama's Kenyan relatives, his paternal grandmother, half-brother and half-sister, have claimed that Barack Obama was born in Kenya....
Suit filed 08/21/08, No. 08-cv-4083
Which claims that even if elected, it is illegal for him to accept the office.
http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-paedce/case_no-2:2008cv04083/case_id-281573/
Posted by: Michael | Nov 4, 2008 5:36:03 PM
Rose C:
I almost feel sorry for folks like you.....The Sean Hannities; the Rush Limbaughs; The KKKs; The Rose Cs.....you folks are very pitiful......you all really need the Lord and some serious counseling....
Posted by: shalom | Nov 4, 2008 5:36:46 PM
all you stupid dumbfucks, Obama has provided proof of his US birth. if he hadn't don't you think that the Evil Empire would have already had courts boot him off the presidential race? these statements that keep floating around that there are doubts about the authenticity of his birth certificate are just unfounded rumors.
Ive heard the McCain was actually born in hell, and thats why he hasn't provided proof that he was not born in hell.
Posted by: Sam | Nov 4, 2008 5:41:53 PM
I hope if Obama wins, he will put a stop to all the e-mail that I receive from Africa, asking me to send them money. I have to deleate this crap from my e-mail daily before I can read messages from my friends and family.
Posted by: jdthat | Nov 4, 2008 5:51:00 PM
janedoe345: If you can only think for yourself and click, here is your proof- click on it. ... I know, I know, It's fake....Get a life... Invite Michael Savage to share it with you.
Posted by: peak | Nov 4, 2008 5:51:49 PM
I don't think obama could win the election.We experienced the last two elections were covered with fraud and cheat. Fraud and Cheat favoring Bush, and Mccain will do it again with of Bush of course.That's why he is very confident of winning eventhough he is way behind the polls.
Posted by: ian | Nov 4, 2008 5:51:54 PM
Africa has had terrible rulers since almost the beginning of time. They need to stop have dictators who make themselves rich off there own people. Africa is a rich country but the people like like beggers and are beggers. They will see you anything to make a buck. I hope the so called journalists (who remind me of Joe, the fake plumber) are taken hostage and jailed for impersonating a real journalist. What a backward country. No wonder people leave it when they can. Shame on the United Nations for not helping the "people of these poor country's."
Posted by: jdthat | Nov 4, 2008 5:55:22 PM
Obama is an inspiration for all black or white. The world will be proud of him and he will change the way America has been run. He will give American her respect back. This is a big change, there will be no terrorist attacks, because the Democrats are for peace. All we hear from the Republicans is WAR and nothing else. I don't know how coservative they are.
Posted by: Malo | Nov 4, 2008 5:55:37 PM
I spent a few minutes (that’s all I could take) listening to Sean Hannity yesterday. I don't think I've ever heard such vile and hatred in anyone’s voice in my life. He is going to have to live with the fact that Americans are no longer inspired by that kind of divisive rhetoric. It could be he's afraid for his job, who knows. The man really does need to see a doctor and possibly get on some medication.
Posted by: dan | Nov 4, 2008 5:56:17 PM
obama is a great inpiration not only to africans but to the world.i,m very proud of him even if he becomes president or not.lets not forget that america is what it is today grace to our african streght.we,ve been there since its start.if anyone thinks obama can,t become president because he,s african-american,then i think he needs to read history.get to know what martin luther had to add to the well being not only for africa-americans but for the world
Posted by: bertrand | Nov 4, 2008 5:56:34 PM
We all know Barack Obama is a United States citizen, making all these far fetched accusations is just so ridiculous! Good luck trying to find someone who doesn't share a different heritage, even being American! Why is he expected to support these extended family members living in Kenya?? We all know these people are living in poverty and far less desirable living condition than you and I'd prefer that for sure. Needless to say...They'd say anything if the price was right and with that being said, why would he financially support them??!! He is not obligated to!
Posted by: urjokinright | Nov 4, 2008 5:59:11 PM
Peak...a president cannot be a naturalized citizen, per the Constitution.
I thought we weren't supposed to consider color in this election. This election is not about the color of the skin, but rather about the qualifications of the man. That is what I believe, personally, and it is what Obama has been saying all during his campaign. Yet, over and over again, I hear African Americans touting the fact that he is black. So what? That should NOT be why you are voting for him. Be proud of your heritage, fine, I don't care. But, don't vote for a person simply because of the color of his skin, which is what I am very afraid quite a large number of African Americans are doing.
BTW...no, I did not vote for Obama, I voted for someone with a history of leadership experience and military service. I believe the qualification of not only a natural born citizen should be in the list of things a president must be, but I also feel that, regardless of skin color, a presidential candidate should have served in the United States military as an officer.
Posted by: tadt | Nov 4, 2008 6:02:40 PM
For you Americans who wish to know your president better, Barak Obama means "Blessings of Al Husain" Obama, as Barakah is the Islamic word for Blessings.
The Shrine of Al-Husayn is very famous.
Barack Obama was born at Coast Provincial Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya.
Many American think he was born in the US, but he is a proud member of the Luo tribe, and helped Raila Odinga campaign here in 2006.
Raila's and Obama father Barak both went to the Luo Maseno school.
Read Barack's paper in the 1965
Posted by: Joyful | Nov 4, 2008 6:03:29 PM
The Luo people of kenya are known to be bright and royal. My father from the hills of western kenya told me so. The Luo people make good teachers ,lawyrs and doctors. Here we see the full blood of a boy getting to the top of the world. We had the election in kenya last year. Nyachae nyandusi was the shame of the world when he used a stupid language at public about Raila. Can he say it now that peleka jandoni?. The luo people brougt bara to gusii land for barter trade. That is history.
Posted by: peter mweruti | Nov 4, 2008 6:04:42 PM
If "Sam" is representative of Obama supporters... I am glad I am NOT !! Good Heavens !! I am totally sick of the Black/White thing, and how Obama wants to be Black because it is good politics. He is just as White as he is Black, and he was raised by White people. He really is African American, not like most all of the Blacks here in the USA. I am German/American... but you will never hear me say I am anything other than AMERICAN !!! Adding other country names to my background, makes anyone appear to be disloyle to American !!
Posted by: Patsy | Nov 4, 2008 6:17:37 PM
The funny thing is that although everyone is soooo excited about a "black man" running for president and claiming that Obama is "African American" when the fact is that he doesn't even qualify as African American and furthermore - HE'S 1/2 WHITE!!!
Posted by: Phil Kent | Nov 4, 2008 6:19:25 PM
Tadt...
If this election was NOT about color, then why are the polls reporting that 95% of blacks are voting for Obama ? Obama is almost as white as I am. He is half white, raised by whites, educated with mostly all whites and he lives in the rich white neighborhoods with a few token blacks. I say Obama is White, MORE than he is black. Now his father was really, really black !
Posted by: Patsy | Nov 4, 2008 6:21:22 PM
For you shallow minded people still hung up on race....what are you afraid of? It was a white man that lead us into this crap!. So, are you more concerned about getting out of recession and war on 2 fronts or are you more concerned about the race of the person who will lead us. Power concedes nothing, and ignoraanc concedes nothing absolutely!
Posted by: dmac1 | Nov 4, 2008 6:29:40 PM
I am Australian and we are waiting here with baited breath to see if America elect their first black president.
As said so many time Barack Obama represents fresh hope in the breaking down of racial barriers .... he represents that to the world.
We here in Australia love Barack Obama. We look up to America and lets see if they set the pace for the rest of world in relation to these racial barriers ......
Posted by: Ally | Nov 4, 2008 6:30:51 PM
I'm from England..... We in here r excited as f***..... U American need to stop being f***ing ignorant to the rest of the world & u need 2 change man ..... gooo obama !!!......
& We can not f***ing stand Sarah P accent as well God how annoying is that !!!
We feel for you that u don't have free health care but i'm sure Obama has good plan for u & G. brown is doing your job which was meant to done by the mighty USA bla,bla on the world econmy issue because of your retarded preseident
Vote for Obama for your self & the world
Posted by: Jordan | Nov 4, 2008 6:49:14 PM
Children born to military members on military instalations, i.e., overseas bases are automatically considered "native born citizens".
The United States Panama Canal Zone was an official United States Territory at the time of John McCain's birth, and he was born to a United States citizen on that base, so he DOES qualify as a "natural born citizen".
Posted by: Pam | Nov 4, 2008 8:09:25 PM
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