How popular is Obama in Kenya? Very. Let me tell you the ways.
Everyone in Nairobi has spent the better part of the year looking for Obama ’08 car stickers and T-shirts. The stuff has proven elusive. Only a lucky few have laid their hands on the goods but they won’t reveal their sources.
My workmate just laughed and said, ”That one … that one … Aaaaah, my friend.” Despite being reassured that I was considered a friend, I still never got to know where he got his neat car sticker.
A number of the notorious public transport vehicles, matatus, around Kenya have colourfully emblazoned his name and picture on their sides and windows. Needless to say everyone wants to ride in the Obama vehicles. He is huge here.
We followed our hero through the primaries, through Iowa, Florida and everywhere else. We’re now ready to usher him into the gates of the White House.
There’s a carnival mood in the province where Obama’s father came from. Residents have declared that Kisumu City (the provincial headquarters) will be the latest American state upon ”our son’s” arrival in the White House. They also expect to be accorded quick fuss-free visas to the US of A when that time comes.
The joke is on this very province where it is said that newborn babies have been given all manner of names in the past to commemorate various events and heroes. These have included, but have not been limited to, Elections Violence Otieno, Constitutional Reforms Onyango and Kofi Annan Obiero among others. Obama can’t and won’t be left behind.
Nothing will stop parents in Nyanza from lavishing names such as ”Change we need”, ”Yes we can” and other slogans that our man has used in his journey to the Oval Office.
When petty thieves come to know his grandmother so well and target her, thinking he sends her money that she stashes under the mattress, then you know Obama is on to something.
When Granny Anyango is accorded state security on account of a robbery in which the thieves only come away with a light bulb, then you know our man is big! International media knock tirelessly at her door in Kogelo. She’s our latest celebrity.
Discussions in social places are about little else, interrupted only occasionally by Man U and Arsenal. When a story comes up on Obama on TV sets in restaurants, silence takes over. We then nod in satisfaction; another powerful figure has endorsed him.
Going by the way we’ve taken up Obama’s cause, you would think that his election as the next US president will increase the number of plates of ugali (a meal made from maize flour) we eat in our houses. It won’t, but because of him Kenya is on the world map. Obama rocks!
Nyokabi Baiya is a freelance writer based in Nairobi
