Kenyans gripped by Obamania

THE Kenyan family of presidential hopeful Barack Obama awoke yesterday to phone calls from around the world and throngs of journalists outside their door all wanting to know one thing — what was their take on the US presidential race.

Throughout the morning, results trickled through about the US primaries. Super Tuesday led neighbours, local media and international camera crews to the home of Sarah Obama, the Illinois Senator’s grandmother.

But Obama’s relatives barely blinked an eye outside their modest home in the small village of Kogello, west Kenya.

The 86-year-old had woken early to hear news of her grandson’s fate but was as calm as ever.

“I woke up at seven before I tuned into the radio,” she said through her son Said, Obama’s uncle.

“We’re happy he has done so well. He just has to fight on until he gets where he wants to go,” she said.

“We’re just keeping our fingers crossed and praying for him to win,”

Her neighbours were also upbeat: “He could do what no one expected, especially from his background,” said local Conslata Yala.

Asked if she would like to stay in the White House, if her grandson goes on to win the US election, Sarah Obama said: “The last time I was there I stayed in a hotel, it’s up to Barack to decide next time.”

Local school principle Yuanita Obiero said pupils were also curious about Obama, adding that the last time the presidential candidate visited Kenya, he opened a school laboratory.

The election excitement later calmed. Sarah and her neighbours sat back on their plastic chairs outside, the radio turned off inside. Laughing, they enjoyed the first of the evening breezes as the last of the camera crews packed up. Life for now was back to normal.