Dennis Itumbi, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya Photo: Lameck Nyagudi
Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki has declared Thursday 6th November a public holiday as celebrations broke out in all major towns after Barack Obama was declared the USA's president-elect. Kibaki congratulated Obama and immediately sanctioned the celebrations that have rocked the country.
Obama's grandmother Mama Sarah Obama joined celebrations by leading villagers in songs and dance and finally prayers at the Kogello dispensary.
In Nairobi residents gathered all night at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) and broke out in peaceful demonstrations singing praises of Obama.
"The celebrations are well deserved and a holiday will help our people cheer their son," Presidential Press Service director Isaiah Kabira said in a phone interview when asked why the holiday had been granted.
Grandmother's statement
Meanwhile, Obama's Kenyan Grandmother Mama Sarah Obama is advising his victorious grandson to deliver on his pledges and especially aim at restoring global peace.
Mama Obama who has just addressed an International Press Conference said that she was so excited about the win but had a word for Obama, "make sure you deliver on the promises, I know you can and especially on global security and peace."
She spoke through family interpreters and expressed reservations on enhanced personal security for the family saying "I do not want to be treated specially we are a normal family, let security be there for all of Kenya."
On Mitchelle Obama, Mama Sarah said that the first lady would make a wonderful mother for the American people. "She will be great, she is a good wife, she will definitely make a great mother for the nation."
