Obama returns to Kenya, reunites with father's family

[Lite Beer]

Obama returns to Kenya, reunites with father's family
JULIE PACE, AP White House Correspondent

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Fulfilling the hopes of millions of Kenyans, Barack Obama returned to his father's homeland Friday for the first time as U.S. president, a long sought visit by a country that considers him a local son.

The president spent the evening reuniting with his Kenyan family, including his elderly step-grandmother who made the trip to the capital of Nairobi from her rural village. U.S. and Kenyan flags lined the main road from Nairobi's airport, and billboards heralding Obama's trip dotted the city.

"I don't think that Kenyans think of Obama as African-American. They think of him as Kenyan-American," said EJ Hogendoorn, deputy program director for Africa at the International Crisis Group.

Obama's link to Kenya is a father he barely knew, but whose influence can nonetheless be seen in his son's presidency.

Obama has spoken candidly about growing up without his Kenyan-born father and feeling "the weight of that absence." A White House initiative to support young men of color who face similar circumstances has become a project dear to Obama, one he plans to continue after leaving the White House.

In Africa, Obama has used his late father's struggle to overcome government corruption as a way to push leaders to strengthen democracies. He's expected to make good governance and democracy-building a centerpiece of his two days of meetings and speeches in Nairobi, as well as a stop next week in Ethiopia.

"In my father's life, it was partly tribalism and patronage and nepotism in an independent Kenya that for a long stretch derailed his career," Obama said during a 2009 trip to Ghana, his first visit to Africa as president. "We know that this kind of corruption is still a daily fact of life for far too many."

The president's father, Barack Obama, Sr., left Kenya as a young man to study at the University of Hawaii. There, he met Stanley Ann Dunham, a white woman from Kansas. They would soon marry and have a son, who was named after his father.

The elder Obama left Hawaii when he son was just two years old, first to continue his studies at Harvard, then to return to Kenya. The future president and his father would see each other just once more, when the son was 10 years old. Obama's father died in a car crash in 1982, at age 46.

"I didn't have a dad in the house," Obama said last year during a White House event for My Brother's Keeper, his initiative for young men. "I was angry about it, even though I didn't necessarily realize it at the time."

Obama's first trip to Kenya nearly 30 years ago was a quest to fill in the gaps in the story of his father's life. In his memoir "Dreams From My Father," Obama wrote that at the time of his death, "my father remained a mystery to me, both more and less than a man."

What Obama uncovered was a portrait of a talented, but troubled man. An economist for the Kenyan government, the senior Obama clashed with then-President Jomo Kenyatta over tribal divisions and allegations of corruption. He was ultimately fired by the president, sending him into a tailspin of financial problems and heavy drinking.

The Kenyan leader Obama will meet with this weekend, Uhuru Kenyatta, is the son of the president his father confronted decades ago.

Obama met most of his Kenyan family for the first time on that initial trip to his father's home country. As he stepped off Air Force One Friday, he was greeted by half-sister Auma Obama, pulling her into a warm embrace. The siblings then joined about three dozen family members at a restaurant at the president's hotel for a private dinner.

Logistical constraints and security precautions prevented Obama from visiting Kogelo, the village where his father lived and is buried, on this trip. Sarah Obama, the step-grandmother he calls "Granny," still lives in the village.

Despite the intense focus on the American leader's local roots, the White House has cast the trip as one focused on the relationship between the U.S. and Kenya, not the president and his family. Officials say Obama's agenda is heavily focused on trade and economic issues, as well as security and counterterrorism cooperation.

The president is traveling with nearly two dozen U.S. lawmakers, along with 200 U.S. investors attending the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha did not accompany the president.

Auma Obama said she believed her late father would be proud to see his son return to Kenya as American president.

"He'd be extremely proud and say, 'Well done,'" she said in an interview with CNN. "But then he'd add, 'But obviously, you're an Obama.'"

_

Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-07-25

[ezzra]

At long last.... back home again....

[ABCer]

A very touching story. I'm actually touching my head as I read it.

So, an ex-Kenyan becomes an American and an American President. And it is a Good Thing!

An ex-Muslim becomes a Christian and it is a Good Thing depending on the point of view.

Since I didn't mention the colour I can hardly be blamed for racism. But also depending on the point of view.

What I am actually trying to say here: -

If a white American Christian miraculously became a President of Kenya ... no, I cannot even say this.

[little mary sunshine]

Stay there!

[Scott]

Troll post and replies removed.

[granuaile]

A very touching story. I'm actually touching my head as I read it.

So, an ex-Kenyan becomes an American and an American President. And it is a Good Thing!

An ex-Muslim becomes a Christian and it is a Good Thing depending on the point of view.

Since I didn't mention the colour I can hardly be blamed for racism. But also depending on the point of view.

What I am actually trying to say here: -

If a white American Christian miraculously became a President of Kenya ... no, I cannot even say this.

There's nothing about an "ex-Kenyan" or an "ex-Muslim" in the article... President Obama is a native-born American, as well as a life-long Christian, though the latter would not matter to me. I vote for the ideas a person espouses not for their religion. I voted for Obama twice, and if I could I'd vote for him again. Proud to call him my president.... Proud to have a president with African roots....

[JetsetBkk]

Stay there!

Beat me to it!

[chickenslegs]

A very touching story. I'm actually touching my head as I read it.

So, an ex-Kenyan becomes an American and an American President. And it is a Good Thing!

An ex-Muslim becomes a Christian and it is a Good Thing depending on the point of view.

Since I didn't mention the colour I can hardly be blamed for racism. But also depending on the point of view.

What I am actually trying to say here: -

If a white American Christian miraculously became a President of Kenya ... no, I cannot even say this.

Queen Elizabeth II of Kenya.

[Jingthing]

I'm happy for my president to have the opportunity to fulfill this personal desire, one of our greatest presidents, and also happy for the people of Kenya who are understandably proud of him.

Show some humanity here. All Obama had was a "Baby Daddy" and an exotic foreign one at that. I think he processed all that brilliantly.

No I don't agree with everything he has done, but I agree with a lot of it, and it turns out his presidency has indeed been historically substantive.

Also, don't kid yourselves, a good portion of the hatred of Obama by the American right wing does indeed have both racism (mostly) and Islamophobia at it's root.

Edited July 25, 2015 by Jingthing

[Steely Dan]

The Obama family have a colorful history to put it mildly. Indeed the family reunion could not have taken place in the UK seeing as brother Samson (Abo) Obama is barred on count of lying to police questioning over accusations of sexual assault.

Then there's the Obama - Odinga Kenyan election scandal, where Obama interfered in a foreign election contrary to U.S law, something he repeated with elections in Israel and Nigeria. The family will indeed have much to discuss.

http://beforeitsnews.com/obama/2014/04/the-obama-odinga-kenyatta-connection-2462252.html

Edited July 25, 2015 by Steely Dan

[impulse]

Then there's the Obama - Odinga Kenyan election scandal, where Obama interfered in a foreign election contrary to U.S law,

Show me a president in the 20th century that didn't.

[Scott]

Troll posts and replies removed.

[Credo]

It's good that he brought up the issue of gay rights, even though he was asked not to. The more he highlights the inequity, the more likely these countries will have to address the issue, positively.

[NickJ]

A good place to plant his library.

[MZurf]

I'm happy for my president to have the opportunity to fulfill this personal desire, one of our greatest presidents, and also happy for the people of Kenya who are understandably proud of him.

Show some humanity here. All Obama had was a "Baby Daddy" and an exotic foreign one at that. I think he processed all that brilliantly.

No I don't agree with everything he has done, but I agree with a lot of it, and it turns out his presidency has indeed been historically substantive.

Also, don't kid yourselves, a good portion of the hatred of Obama by the American right wing does indeed have both racism (mostly) and Islamophobia at it's root.

Absolutely. Imagine if he was gay as well. Wouldn't that have twisted the titties of the good ol' boys!

[sdanielmcev]

I'm happy for my president to have the opportunity to fulfill this personal desire, one of our greatest presidents, and also happy for the people of Kenya who are understandably proud of him.

Show some humanity here. All Obama had was a "Baby Daddy" and an exotic foreign one at that. I think he processed all that brilliantly.

No I don't agree with everything he has done, but I agree with a lot of it, and it turns out his presidency has indeed been historically substantive.

Also, don't kid yourselves, a good portion of the hatred of Obama by the American right wing does indeed have both racism (mostly) and Islamophobia at it's root.

Absolutely. Imagine if he was gay as well. Wouldn't that have twisted the titties of the good ol' boys!

No. Only shows your own bigotry.

[sdanielmcev]

I'm happy for my president to have the opportunity to fulfill this personal desire, one of our greatest presidents, and also happy for the people of Kenya who are understandably proud of him.

Show some humanity here. All Obama had was a "Baby Daddy" and an exotic foreign one at that. I think he processed all that brilliantly.

No I don't agree with everything he has done, but I agree with a lot of it, and it turns out his presidency has indeed been historically substantive.

Also, don't kid yourselves, a good portion of the hatred of Obama by the American right wing does indeed have both racism (mostly) and Islamophobia at it's root.

As someone who claims they were a victim of bigotry, throwing around your own bigotry is very hypocritical.

[MZurf]

I'm happy for my president to have the opportunity to fulfill this personal desire, one of our greatest presidents, and also happy for the people of Kenya who are understandably proud of him.

Show some humanity here. All Obama had was a "Baby Daddy" and an exotic foreign one at that. I think he processed all that brilliantly.

No I don't agree with everything he has done, but I agree with a lot of it, and it turns out his presidency has indeed been historically substantive.

Also, don't kid yourselves, a good portion of the hatred of Obama by the American right wing does indeed have both racism (mostly) and Islamophobia at it's root.

As someone who claims they were a victim of bigotry, throwing around your own bigotry is very hypocritical.

[Tywais]

Post with intentionally corrupt spelling of Obama and reply removed.

[twocatsmac]

Nice to see the Kenyan from the White House slapped down for pandering to a minority group hell

bent on beasting each other.

Kenya has bigger problems regarding terrorism.

[kamahele]

Nice to see the Kenyan from the White House slapped down for pandering to a minority group hell

bent on beasting each other.

Kenya has bigger problems regarding terrorism.

1. There isn't a Kenyan in the White House, racist, there is an American in the White House

2. Slapped down for pandering to a minority group hell bent on besting each other Homophobe? Slapped down by who? A few dictators on the take? Glad our President cares something for human rights unlike yourself.

Edited July 26, 2015 by kamahele

[Jingthing]

It took big balls to push the gay rights message at that level in Kenya.

Of course he know the reception to that would be cold.

But who knows, maybe he planted a seed.

Homosexuality is punishable in Kenya by a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

[slipperylobster]

A very touching story. I'm actually touching my head as I read it.

So, an ex-Kenyan becomes an American and an American President. And it is a Good Thing!

An ex-Muslim becomes a Christian and it is a Good Thing depending on the point of view.

Since I didn't mention the colour I can hardly be blamed for racism. But also depending on the point of view.

What I am actually trying to say here: -

If a white American Christian miraculously became a President of Kenya ... no, I cannot even say this.

Actually..he is not ex kenyan. He is a US citizen born in Hawaii. American mom.

America, as I remember it, had many immigrants...such as both sets of my grandparents. I don't even see where he stayed with his dad...at all.

[twocatsmac]

Nice to see the Kenyan from the White House slapped down for pandering to a minority group hell

bent on beasting each other.

Kenya has bigger problems regarding terrorism.

1. There isn't a Kenyan in the White House, racist, there is an American in the White House

2. Slapped down for pandering to a minority group hell bent on besting each other Homophobe? Slapped down by who? A few dictators on the take? Glad our President cares something for human rights unlike yourself.

Racist? I'm with the Kenyan brothers on this and 9 out of 10 say keep your gay parade.

Democracy, not minority rule.

[Jingthing]

Not about parades. That's insulting.

[Scott]

Troll post and reply removed.