Hivos-partner KEFEADO: Kenyans are celebrating Obama's success
5 November 2008 -
'The fact that a black American with roots in Kenya can be elected in the United States is a lesson for Kenyans that what is needed is leadership values, intellect, focus and clear communication to he citizens not hate campaign and ethnicity.' So says Dolphine Achieng Okech, executive director of Hivos-partner Kenya Female Advisory Organization (KEFEADO). Read the full letter.
WHY KENYANS AND IN PARTICULAR KISUMU IS CELEBRATING BARACK OBAMA’S SUCCESS
The importance of Obama’s Victory to Kenyans:
* Kenyans have learnt from the transparent process of Obama’s election, many lessons which could have prevented the post election violence in Kenya;
* The fact that a black American with roots in Kenya can be elected in the vast America States is a lesson for Kenyans that what is needed is leadership values, intellect, focus and clear communication to he citizens not hate campaign and ethnicity;
* The Barrack Obama Campaign and final Victory is across resemblance of what Kenyans saw in December 2007. It is a lesson to many Kenyans and an example which can be used in 2012 presidential elections to make, politically meaningful and democratic in its outcome;
* Kenyans are happy to have one with roots back home, who dared to set and broken his own records in this historical elections in America.
For residents of Kisumu and Nyanza Province:
* For the Kisumu and Nyanza Province, it is history in the making. Barack Obama the President Elect is a Luo-American and he said just this when he visited his “Kogelo” ancestral home in 2006;
* Kisumu and Nyanza people are proud to associate with the US President Elect, because it is a proof that Luos are electable leaders contrary to the beliefs of some sections of Kenya community;
* It has proved to those communities who have been discrediting anybody with Luo roots, that the first Black American President in the history of American politics is a young intelligent, focused and visionary Barack Obama with his father’s home in “Siaya” district the heart of Nyanza province;
* The government of Kenya has now recognized the fact that the international brain granary starts with Nyanza.
As I write this, the tractors are making the road to the US President Elect Barack Obama’s home; Kenya Power and Company is already on site installing electricity, the home is a bee hive of activities. All buses are leading to the President elect Barack Obama’s home in “Kogelo”
Traditionally, bulls will be slaughtered and every Luo person worth his/her salt is proud to be associated with this transparent success.
The victory of Obama is a lesson to African Presidents who cling to power at the expense of their citizens. The maturity of American political election shown by the just ended presidential elections is a lesson for African Leaders who are stuck in the past and ready to use all manners of maneuvers to block change from any quarters.
Dolphine Achieng Okech
Executive Director & Programmes Coordinator
Kenya Female Advisory Organization (KEFEAD0)
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