By John Oywa and George Olwenya

Barack Obama Primary School compound resembled an international trade fair as his inauguration day beckoned.

Classrooms were turned into makeshift hotels and exhibition stands were draped in colourful banners.

A battery of local and international journalists jostled for space, as villagers counted hours to the big day.

While US President-elect Obama will be taking his oath in Washington DC, thousands of miles away, Kogelo — the once sleepy village where his father grew up — will be hosting a huge ceremony in his honour.

Thousands of villagers will be gathered at the school playground today to await the inauguration of their son as America’s first black president.

The villagers, a few Government officials and private sector operatives have been basking in the hot sun since last week to watch rehearsals by various entertainment groups.

"It is a day I have been waiting for. I’m ready to wait in the hot sun the whole day to celebrate with fellow villagers," said Mr Thomas Ouko, 70.

Various entertainment groups — brought in from as far as Kisumu, Gem and Ugenya —were on Monday warming their drums and making last minute adjustments ahead of today’s events.

Several parastatals, NGOs and private companies have set up exhibition stands at the school.

Mrs Patricia Apoli cuts beef at Nyangoma Kogelo Primary School, on Monday. Preparations are in top gear to celebrate Obama’s swearing-in. Photo: James Keyi/Standard

In Kisumu, a group of comedians who conducted a mock US election during the November 4 polls will be staging a mock inauguration of the president-elect in a ceremony sponsored by the Standard Group.

In Kogelo, National Heritage Minister William ole Ntimama and Nyanza PC Paul Olando will be the main guests at Tuesday’s ceremony.

There will be football, netball, volleyball and wrestling matches. At exactly 8pm, ceremonies will be halted to allow the villagers watch the inauguration speeches, to be beamed live from the US on a giant screen installed by the Standard Group.

Two bulls and 10 chickens have already been slaughtered to feed visitors, as the festival entered its fourth day.

Villagers did roaring business selling food and drinks at the venue.

Acting Siaya DC Ratunka ole Kikua led Government officers in ensuring all was well, as visitors poured into the school for the celebrations.

Learning at the school stopped as classrooms were turned into an eating-place.

Residents using the classroom to sell food paid Sh100 a day to the organising committee.

Vendors from various parts of the country capitalised on the event to sell T-shirts with Obama images.

Food was affordable and those in the business said they could not raise prices because Kenyans were going through tough times.

A plate of meat and ugali sold at Sh50, while in Siaya town the meal costs at Sh100. Committee Chairman Vitalis Ogombe said they would slaughter four more bulls, 20 rams and goats.

Siaya OCPD Johnson Ipara was on the ground to oversee security operations and announced that more than 5,000 people are expected today ahead of Obama’s inauguration.

"I am impressed there have been no ugly incidents since the festival began on Friday, and we are here to maintain security because we expect visitors across the country and beyond to be here until after the inauguration is over," said Ipara.

Villagers were happy the Standard Group was going to erect a big screen to enable them watch the events. "This is so good, because we are not going to miss anything and we shall go wild as we see Obama take oath of office," said Patricia Apolo.

The festival also attracted tourists from as far as Australia and California.

"I could have wished to take photographs with Obama’s family, but, unfortunately, they are not here," said Sally Parratt, a tourist from Australia.

Susan Tompetrini, an elderly tourist from California, said they were in a company of eight, half of them from Canada.

"The people here are wonderful, we love their attire," said Tompetrini, who claimed she voted for Obama.

She added she was delighted to visit his ancestral home.

Immediate former NGO’s Council chairperson Orie Rongo Manduli caused a stir when she arrived at the school to join villagers in the celebrations.

Manduli, who was the chief guest, was given a thunderous welcome by excited villagers.

She danced and took pictures with some residents before security cleared the mob for her to access the dais.