Obama family settle row over Sh100m centre's site

By Mangoa Mosota and George Olwenya

The family of US President Barack Obama has agreed on a site to build a Sh100 million cultural centre in Kogelo, Siaya District.

After disagreements over the location where the facility is to be built, National Heritage Minister William Ntimama and US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger led a baraza that resolved the impasse.

Yesterday, Obama’s grandmother Sarah said a magistrate she supported while a pupil at Nyang’oma Primary School had donated four acres of land for the project.

"He (Patrick Olengo) decided to show appreciation for the lunch I used to provide for him by donating the piece of land," said Sarah.

Mr Olengo is a magistrate in Hamisi. The elderly woman said she did not see the need for the family to squabble over the issue, yet it would benefit thousands of people.

US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger, Mama Sarah Obama and other villagers at Nyang’oma Primary School during a meeting where a dispute over land donated for the building of a cultural centre was resolved. [PHOTO: JAMES KEYI/STANDARD]

But Sarah’s son Malick Obama said a family living next to Kogelo market had donated five acres of land for the construction of the facility.

Respect decision

"Joshua Otieno’s family has donated the land, and its accessibility makes it the most suitable," he said and paraded the donor at Nyang’oma Primary School, the baraza venue .

Several guests who spoke after Malick supported Sarah, saying she was genuinely interested in the success of the facility.

"She is the head of the Obama family, and her decision has to be respected. The area, Nyanza Province and Kenya in general will benefit from it," Mr Ntimama said, amid applause from the crowd.

He said the Government had spent Sh2 million of the Sh4 million initial allocation for the facility, after construction started early this year.

The project, however, stalled after the dispute over the right location to put it up.

The foundation had been laid on a four-acre piece of land in Kogelo, donated by Nicholas Rajula, a civic leader.

Rajula’s piece is about five kilometres from Sarah’s home, hence her reservations.

Yesterday, Ntimama said construction of the facility, which will have diverse artefacts, would start soon.

Ranneberger said the US would offer financial support for the facility, and also bring in tourists.