The ‘Obama model’ of development could hasten national progress

By Peter Kimani

Kenya: Kenya has belatedly won this year’s Big Brother Africa award, after the Namibian beauty, Dillish Mathews, revealed her Kenyan roots, and expressed her desire to meet her absent father.

Dillish appeared to recant her wish, albeit too late, when it came true — after Abdi Guyo stepped out of the shadows and proclaimed her his long lost child. “Why is this weird dude claiming to be my dad?” she tweeted, perhaps because Guyo, now in retirement and with a receding hairline, did not mirror the dashing young man from his youth that was probably frozen in Dillish’s mind. There was a certain dignity that confirmed Guyo was the father. He even posed for pictures with his wife and other children.

Then came this week’s online hang-out with Dillish’s mother, Selma Pashukeni. She recognised him instantly and spoke fondly of their good old days.

Guyo has now been invited to Namibia this month for Dillish’s 23rd birthday.

This is very encouraging news. It shows there are a few things that actually work in Kenya: When our men venture beyond the shores and leave behind healthy, beautiful offspring.

I think this has something to do with Kenya being the origins of human kind, which means plentiful good genes are to be found within our borders.

If harnessed in a structured way to ensure better monitoring and evaluation, there is the expectation that future remittances from our brood abroad could rise significantly, if Dillish, Obama and others come to spend their fortunes back “home.”