Kenya declares national holiday for Obama victory

Associated Press

Published: November 5, 2008

KOGELO, Kenya—Barack Obama’s Kenyan relatives and Africans across the continent sang, danced in the streets and wrapped themselves in U.S. flags today to cheer in America’s first black president. Kenya will party for two days after the president declared a national holiday.

Scenes of jubilation broke out in the western village of Kogelo, where Obama’s late father was born. A group of exuberant residents picked up the president-elect’s half-brother Malik and carried him through the village.

“Unbelievable!“ Malik shouted, leading the family in chanting, “Obama’s coming, make way!“

Obama’s step-grandmother and other relatives also poured out of the family homestead to salute a man seen by many Kenyans as a “son of the soil.“ Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki declared a public holiday tomorrow in honor of Obama.

Many stayed up all night or woke before dawn to celebrate his victory. Obama’s relatives and other villagers gathered around a TV set up in a garden in Kogelo, rejoicing and pumping their arms in the air.

Across Africa, many are hoping an Obama presidency will help the vast continent, the poorest in the world. Some are looking for more U.S. aid to Africa, others are simply basking in the glory of a successful black politician with African roots.

“He’s in!“ said Rachel Ndimu, 23, a Kenyan business student who joined hundreds of others for an election party at the residence of the U.S. ambassador to Kenya, Michael Ranneberger, which began at 5 a.m.

“I think this is awesome, and the whole world is backing him,“ Ndimu said as people raised glasses of champagne.