Excitement, song and ululation in Nyanza over Obama visit

US President Barrack Obama beasts and motorcade snails along Kenyatta Avenue/ Uhuru High Way roundabout in Nairobi as security keep vigil on his way to State House on Saturday 25/07/15 after visiting Bomb blast. [PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

 

There was excitement across Nyanza when Air Force One carrying US President Barack Obama landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Friday.

Prior to the arrival, Obama’s portrait had been displayed on cars, bicycles and motorcycles as well as in business premises.

Friday also saw bar and restaurant owners do brisk business as residents started thronging their premises as early as noon.

Those who talked to The Standard on Sunday indicated that they did not want to be left behind as ‘their son’ visited Kenya. “This is a historic moment for our nation and Luos in particular, because Obama is coming home. I didn’t want to risk sitting at home and having the electricity fail me,” said George Omondi, a waiter at Okita Bar in Dunga, Kisumu County.

Bar owners in leading hotels in the region told The Standard on Sunday they wished Obama would make such visits regularly because this weekend alone, they made money that they do not make in months.

When KTN beamed images of Obama’s plane hovering over JKIA, there was excitement in the air.

When he disembarked from the plane, some stood up and sang the national anthem as others sang ‘Karibu Nyumbani Obama’. Others prayed silently as others ululated.

“That is the son of K'Ogelo, the president of the most powerful nation in the world. Recently we had Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o in the country. We have our Baba Raila Odinga and Gor Mahia’s Michael Olunga is scoring goals. Luos are ruling the world,” said an elated man at Ramogi Bar and Restaurant in Kisumu.

Pubs such as Whistles, Buddies and Samba Marina, which are frequented by youths, were packed to capacity.

At K'Ogelo in Siaya, residents thronged Barack Obama Secondary School to watch the event live after the county government mounted a huge screen there.

“We are disappointed that Obama is not coming here but we don’t want to be left behind. We have sent Mama Sarah Obama to tell him our thoughts and for now, we are content with watching him on television,” said Alpha Otieno.

At Maseno University, the atmosphere was the same as students watched the events in the main hall while others thronged bars in the nearby Luanda Market in Vihiga County.

In Homa Bay town, residents left their homes and jammed entertainment spots for fear of missing out on the event due to frequent power outages in the region.

The mood was the same in Migori County where residents of a small estate named after Obama in Migori Town celebrated saying they were happy to be associated with the US President.

“President Uhuru should allow us to drink traditional beer on these three days as we celebrate the return of our son,” said Job Amimo.

Yesterday, The Standard newspapers were sold out by 9am, and many people thronged the Kisumu Standard office, hoping to get copies.

“I have gone to all the supermarkets but there are no newspapers. The vendors also don’t have them,” said a frustrated customer

Many residents went back to hotels to hear Obama’s and President Uhuru Kenyatta’s speeches when they opened the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Gigiri, Nairobi.

At lunchtime, many were frustrated when they found out that many food kiosks were not open for business.