Sara Obama congratulates grandson

Sarah Obama grandmother to President Barack Obama and his uncle Said Obama in Kogelo [Photo:Reuters]

By Evelyn Kwamboka

Humbleness  and the grace of God helped Barack Obama win the hotly contested US Presidential election, his step-grandmother Mama Sarah Obama has said.

The granny who kept vigil following the US elections, thanked US voters for giving her kin another chance to lead them.

“I knew he was going to win. We are happy for the victory and are embracing everyone who visits our home,” she said as women and youth danced in praise of Obama.

The villagers who spent the night at Kogelo Resort, danced all the way to the granny’s home, singing “Wan wathii ka Sarah wan wathii rwako Obama (We are going to Sarah’s to welcome Obama).” “My grandson is loving and down to earth. I ask him to work for the people that voted for him and his opponent-Mitt Romney- should consider working with him also,” she said.

The granny advised the re-elected president to give his best to the people of America for having confidence in him.

When asked if she would travel to the US for the inauguration, the granny left people in stitches, saying “To ne adwaro dong? (Did I want to remain?) Kogelo nigi wich mariek (Kogelo has intelligent brains).

However, she was quick to defend Obama, saying he visited Kenya once during his last term because he was working for the people who elected him to the white House.

The 90 year-old -granny had predicted his victory barely 15 hours before the result was announced.

“I pray he wins the election because he is competing with a tough person this time. I am happy with his work and pray that he wins the election because he will help the community,” she said at her Kogelo home where she rears rabbits, Turkeys and Chicken on Tuesday afternoon.

Police officers who have been taking orders from some senior family members on who to allow into the home on Wednesday allowed the jovial villagers to celebrate with the granny inside the compound Obama spent his days when he used to sell kales at Nyangoma Market.

Back in the village, Big Time comedians carried out a mock voting at Nyangoma Market the way they did in 2007, a few hours before US people work up for the election, a place where Obama sold kales with his granny.

“Obama is going to win with a landslide because the queue is long. We are waiting for the women who went to tend to their shambas to come and vote,” said Lawrence Oyange the comedian.

Magarita Ogombe aged more than 70, said she heard from her grandchildren that people were being allowed to participate in the US elections.

“I am praying for our child to win. Voting for him has made me feel good because at the end of the day, he will buy me shoes,” said the granny at the mock election.