Pomp and glamour surrounded the home of Sarah Obama, grandmother of US Democratic Presidential nominee Barrack Obama as he made his acceptance speech in Denver, Colorado.
Nyang’oma-Kogelo village in Siaya District was abuzz with activities as Sarah Hussein Obama, gathered guests in her home, to watch the historic moment as her grandson Barrack Obama accepted the nomination as the Democratic Party Presidential nominee for the November elections.
In his acceptance speech aired live in television channels, Obama mentioned Kenya in his first paragraph, reminding the mammoth crowd of a previous speech he delivered in 2004, stating that his father was from Kenya. And with this, his grandmother jumped from her seat, uttering all sorts of niceties about Obama.
Sarah Obama kept vigil as he watched Obama make promises to America and the larger world.
“We stayed up to watch him address the gathering and he spoke more like his father. I am sure his father would have loved to hear him speak the way he did,” she said enthusiastically through an interpreter.
Although Obama has admitted severally that his biological Kenyan father was absent in his life, he states that that factor is what shaped his life. But according to Sarah Obama, her grandson has emerged from the bruising nomination battle as a captivating and forthright person who does not forget his roots.
“If my grandson wins, I will personally travel to the US to witness the historic moment,” said the elderly grandmother. She added that she was elated by Obama’s inaugural statement that touched on Kenya, which symbolizes that the Democratic nominee is well aware of his roots.
If elected, Obama will make history by becoming the first black President of the United States.
Obama’s uncle noted that the relatives were happy to see that Obama had been nominated to run for the presidency.
“As a family, we feel very happy because Barry has done us proud and we can only wish him well in the remainder of the journey,” he said.
In neighboring villages, goats and cows were slaughtered in celebration of Obama’s acceptance speech.
Said Obama in Denver, “Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story — of the brief union between a young man from Kenya and a young woman from Kansas who weren’t well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in America, their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to.”
And moments after Obama mentioned Kenya, the whole village cheered with joy and some went a notch higher as to hug Mrs. Sarah Obama.
The media had a field day with hordes of local and international journalists camping at the village to get news and reactions from Obama’s relatives. Some agreed that the usually quiet village of Kogelo had turned into an uncontrolled fete with hundreds of relatives and Obama’s supporters glued to television sets to celebrate history of a black Presidential nominee.
“We are here to celebrate a milestone in the history of our small village. We want Obama to win,” said an overjoyed mother of six.
At 86, Obama’s grandmother understands the politics of the world. She is aware of the numerous rumors spread about Obama by his rivals but she quickly defended him saying,

“Untruths are told that don't have anything to do with what Barack is about,” she said adding that portraying Obama as not only a foreigner but also as a Muslim is just a way of mudslinging.

Keeping the American dream alive

Obama’s speech was well received, not only by the mammoth crowd in Denver but all the way in Kenya as thousands watched through television. He promised he would do his best to keep alive the American dream of opportunity for all.
“We meet at one of those defining moments – a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been threatened once more.”
Tonight, more Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less. More of you have lost your homes and even more are watching your home values plummet. More of you have cars you can’t afford to drive, credit card bills you can’t afford to pay, tuition that’s beyond your reach.”


"America, we are better than these last eight years, we are a better country than this." He said this referring to the failed policies of George Bush.
Obama said that it was time for democrats to change America and promised to make a difference on health care, education and the economy, issues that the Bush administration had taken for granted.
The promise
Obama said the Democrats’ promise was one that ‘each of us has the freedom to make of our own lives what we will, but that we also have the obligation to treat each other with dignity and respect.’

“It’s a promise that says the market should reward drive and innovation and generate growth but that businesses should live up to their responsibilities to create American jobs, look out for American workers, and play by the rules of the road.

Kenyans at large praised Obama for the eloquent speech with majority saying that the man with Kenyan roots had a lot to offer not only to the US, but to the world at large.