“Oliech – Odinga – Obama” that was the recurrent chant that could be heard across the Nyayo Stadium @ the football match this passed Saturday. In addition to that I spotted a couple of flags that were the Kenyan flag on one side and the USA flag on the other (apparently stitched together). I am not a great fan of the Obama craze that has swept the country & continent but sometimes it gets so funny you have no choice but to join in.
I have one question however, is our feigned support of Obama just homeland pride or do we actually believe in his quest for the White House (wonder if it’ll be named Black House when he checks in – LOL!). Do we believe in his party’s policies, because in the land of USA that is what Presidential candidates run on – rather than tribal & financial affiliations that we base our votes on in Africa. If he came and stood in Kenya for MP (let alone President) would we have the same craze as we do now? Will we believe that our roads will be paved and livelihoods bettered? Why do we believe that Obama being President of the United States means better development for Kenya (esp the Western regions) rather than believing in the Vision 2030 that was just launched last Tuesday? If he ran in Zimbabwe – would Mugabe automatically step down in recognition of his superior political intentions?
I pity Africa when he steps into power, because we are going to be so greatly disappointed as he gets into the business of running a country’s budget that runs into trillions, among other more important international issues such as Nuclear power generation, the War in Iraq, Food shortage and rising fuel prices.
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June 16, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Shiroh
I hog information on Obama, i think he is a pretty intelligent lad who given his odds could do anything and that’s what many people are looking for a leader. He is extra ordinary and that is a rare quality.
All the same, will Kenya be better with Obama as president? That we will see. I think so though, i see him cutting aid to Africa as he is not likely to keep on seeing his country and continent mates being beggars all their lives and calling on african leaders to work and make things for their country. However Obama if president of US will not be the president of the world so i don’t think he can work magic for all of us.
June 16, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Vee
Don’t get me wrong, I hold nothing against the man himself and yes he is intelligent and a man who has gone through all odds to make it to where he is… he is infact a role model where many african leaders have failed to be.
But the craze is what is not jazzing me. We in Africa are acting like he is our black Messiah come to save us from poverty, hunger & disease – when we should infact sort that out ourselves. I hope he doesn’t check in and start giving us aid. Instead he should encourage other African countries to do what Kenya is doing – shun aid and find ways & means to raise capital to sustain ourselves.
I hope he doesn’t cut us some slack just cause we are his father’s homeland but instead should challenge us to beat the odds just as he & his family has. This business of handouts should end, we need to stand on our own feet & hold our own ground – if we can learn anything from his journey then it should be that.