Kenyans celebrate Obama victory
5/11/2008 16:57
Millions of Kenyans erupted in cheers and singing to celebrate the first
African American victory in the historic US elections.
Scenes of wild
celebrations were seen on television screens from across the country where
Kenyans kept vigil all night following the US election in giant
screens.
Kenyans kept vigil in entertainment joints in the capital Nairobi
throughout last night as they followed keenly and waited anxiously for the
results of the historic poll where Republican nominee John McCain was left
trailing the Democrat nominee.
"This is a momentous day not only in the
history of the United States of America, but also for us in Kenya. The victory
of Senator Obama is our own victory because of his roots in Nairobi in Kenya. As
a country, we are full of pride for his success," Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki
said in a statement.
In Kogelo village of western Kenya, where the Democratic
candidate Barack Obama's late father was born, police tightened security to
prevent dozens of foreign and local media and villagers from entering the rural
homestead of Obama's step- grandmother, Sarah.
However, the elderly woman
including close relatives came outside to cheer for Obama in a country where the
Democrat is seen as a "son of the soil."
Kenyans expressed confidence that
"one of their own" has trounced his rival McCain who trailed for much of the
night. Most of them were gearing up for "real celebrations" later in the day and
tomorrow.
"So far so good and we are happy and the celebrations will continue
in the city and down in Kogelo," said Samson Mbugua, a Nairobi resident who had
followed the results through the night.
Obama's family and friends stayed
awake through the night and followed the results from a big screen
television.
Kogelo is now the target of unprecedented government-sponsored
development projects that appear prompted by the worldwide attention it is
receiving, although Kenyan officials deny it.
In his statement, President
Kibaki said that Obama's unassailable victory was a clear testimony of the
confidence the American people have not only in his leadership and vision for
his country but for the world at large.
"On behalf of the government and
people of Kenya, and on my own behalf, I join the rest of the world in
celebrating and congratulating you on your election as the 44th President of the
United States of America," Kibaki said.
"I am confident that your presidency
shall herald a new chapter of dialogue between the American people and the world
at large."
The president also expressed readiness of his government to work
with the new American administration to further promote and strengthen relations
that exist between the two countries.
"We the Kenyan people are immensely
proud of your Kenyan roots. Your victory is not only an inspiration to millions
of people all over the world, but it has special resonance with us in
Kenya."
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka said Obama's victory heralds a new
dawn in history of America and in relations between America and other nations of
the world.
"It is exciting for Kenya not only because of continental
attachment to president-elect because of his roots in Kenya but because Obama
victory is a harbinger of good tidings especially for our tourism
sector."
The VP said many Americans would now wish to visit country of the
father of their new president.
He said never before has a US presidential
candidate been widely supported across the world. "This means Obama's leadership
of US is likely to bring world nations closer and bridge polarization that
currently exist." he said.
The remarks came as a party kicked off early today
at the U. S. ambassador's residence in the Kenyan capital, attended by
journalists, members of the diplomatic corps and top government
officials.
Kenyan Nobel Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai said she would plant a
tree in commemoration of an Obama victory.
"I want to remember his victory by
a tree," the veteran environmentalist who was recognized for her role in
fighting forest depletion in the country said.
Water Minister Charity Ngilu
had a plan lined up. "Today I am going to see that we can ensure that our rivers
are protected," she said.
Assistant Minister for roads Lee Kinyanjui said:
"It is a historic moment for all of us in a big way and the mood here is
ecstatic."
Barack Obama, the 47 year-old senator from Illinois, has endured a
grueling 21 month-long campaign where he trounced former first lady Hillary
Clinton for the Democratic vote.
Kenyans have followed the election campaigns
keenly with the hope that an Obama win would bring good tidings.
"I will
probably do something that I have not done for some time like buy new clothes,"
said Daniel Obonyo when asked what he would do if Senator Obama won the polls.
Senator Obama said his election was the answer to all those who doubted the
United States was capable of such a step.
Obama captured the key battleground
states of Pennsylvania and Ohio, before passing the essential figure of 270
electoral college votes at 0400 GMT, when projections showed he had also taken
California and a slew of other states.
Then came the news that he had also
seized Florida, Virginia and Colorado - all of which voted Republican in 2004 -
turning swathes of the map from red to blue.
Several other key swing states
are hanging in the balance.
In Indiana and North Carolina, with most of the
vote counted, there was less than 0.5 percentage points between the two
candidates.
Xinhua
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