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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Obama's Kenyan family celebrate victory


Mama Sarah Obama, grandmother to US President Barak Obama reacts with members of her family on November 7, 2012 at her home in Kogelo, Siaya County.Kogelo residents in Siaya County celebrate media announcements of US President Barack Obama's re-election on November 7, 2012.Kogelo residents in Siaya County celebrate US President Barack Obama re-election early on November 7, 2012. Kogelo resident celebrate following media reports of US President Barack Obama's re-election on November 7, 2012.
Photo/AFP
Singing and dancing, the ancestral village of Barack Obama celebrated Wednesday the re-election of the son of their soil, who won because he knows how to "love all people", his grandmother said. Read (Kenya hails Obama victory)Crowds stayed up throughout the night in Kogelo, a small village in western Kenya nestled in the hills about 60 kilometres (40 miles) from the blue waters of Lake Victoria, until the results showed Obama had won.

"The reason why he has won is because God has given it to him," said Sarah Obama, 90 this year and the third wife of the paternal grandfather of the president, who has said he regards her as a grandmother.

"Secondly he has got the knowledge to love all people, he doesn't have the knowledge of division, that is why he has won," she added, speaking in the Luo language to reporters on the lawn outside the family home.

Weary from an all-night vigil but happy at the win, people cheered to welcome her -- known popularly as "Mama Sarah" -- and in support of the victory.

"It was tough this time, nothing like last time," said 35-year old Calvin Odinga, a chemist. "But we were so happy Obama made it."

In Nairobi, Prime Minister Railda Odinga praised a win he said would "reignite faith worldwide, but especially in Africa, in the restorative capacity of democracy to deliver change and discard entrenched divisions."

President Mwai Kibaki offered his own congratulations in a statement to Obama. "Kenya, as always is proud of our association with you," he said.

In his message President Kibaki said the re-election was a re-affirmation of the confidence the American people have in President Obama’s leadership skills.

Kibaki wished US President Obama best wishes during his second term in office and prayed for God’s blessings.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Kenya and on my own behalf I convey our congratulations to you, for your well deserved victory. I commend the American people for showing their confidence in your leadership. Kenya, as always is proud of our association with you. We look forward to the deepening of relations between our two countries during your second term in office,” Kibaki said.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the re-election of US President Barack Obama had electrified the world.

"It is a tribute to the people of the United States that they have re-elected an African American President amidst an intensely trying economic environment that would have tested any incumbent. It is therefore also an outstanding personal triumph for President Obama," said PM Odinga.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka also said Obama's re-election was a big win for a free world.

"It is our hope that he uses his second term to work for peace and to bear positive influence across the globe," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi said Obama was one of a few sitting presidents to be re-elected in America against a background of a poorly performing economy.

He said Obama's resilience was a lesson in how to turn adversity into opportunity.


Mudavadi also congratulated US Republican candidate Mitt Romney for conceding defeat.

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