Kogelo celebrates son’s victory

By Evelyn Kwamboka

President Barack Obama’s Nyangoma-Kogelo village in Siaya County went into a frenzy following his re-election.

Power of Jesus Around the World Church choir from Kisumu took to the stage Wednesday morning immediately Obama’s win was announced.

Carrying twigs, seats and clubs, the villagers who are now calling themselves the Kogelonians danced to the tune, When Jesus Says Yes, Nobody Can Say No, and the Nigerian hit, My God is Good Oh, at Kogelo Resort.

Those who retired to bed when results from Kentucky indicated Romney was in the lead, rushed back to the venue to celebrate with hundreds of residents as boda boda riders took to the road leading to Mama Sarah’s home from the resort.

Shouts of Kogelonian ma wuod wa oyee! (Hail our Kogelo son) Obama Biro Yawne Yoo (Obama is coming, open the road for him), and vuvuzelas rent the air.

Prayed all night

“I was tense when they continually announced Romney was leading and I went to sleep in protest. When I woke up he was still in the lead. A friend then called from the US, saying Barack had won,” said the resort proprietor Nicholas Rajula.

Mr Rajula, who is Obama’s cousin, said they were going to slaughter four goats to celebrate with visitors who thronged the venue to follow the US elections.

Braving torrential rain, villagers danced to the tunes of local musician Otieno Alok’s live band as hordes of international and local journalists took positions to monitor celebrations in the tiny village that has transformed in the last four years.

“If Obama did not win, I believe most projects here would stall,” said Joseph Onyango.

People ate and drank as policemen from a police post next to Mama Sarah’s home patrolled the area.

Mrs Mariana Otuoma Ondego walked to the home, saying she prayed all night for her grandson’s victory.

Before the win, pastors from different churches prayed all night in turns for Obama’s re-election to the White House.

For Richard Owino, tears had flowed freely when the first results, putting Romney in the lead, were shown on television.