afrol News, 5 June - Kenyans from all walks of life on Wednesday thronged the streets of the small western village of Nyangoma to celebrate the nomination of US Senator Barack Obama as the first Afro-American presidential candidate of the Democratic party.

The 46-year-old Illinois Senator was born of a Kenyan and American parents. His late Kenyan father, Barack Obama senior, was a Harvard-educated economist born in Nyangoma.

Obama's victory followed several months of a grueling contest against Senator Hillary Clinton, wife of former US President Bill Clinton. His paternal grandmother, Sarah Anyango, was optimistic that Mr Obama "will be next President of America" because "he has come a long way."

Both President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga joined Kenyans to celebrate the "historic victory", praising the majority of white US electorate for being "colour-blind" in casting their votes.

President Kibaki said the victory has manifested the "faith and confidence" the Democratic membership had in Obama's leadership credentials.

Prime Minister Odinga, a distant relative of the Democratic presidential hopeful, was equally delighted at Obama's nomination, describing it as "a momentous historical occasion."

Obama's victory against Republican candidate John McCain in the November elections would mean a lot to most Kenyans who view him [Obama] as their saviour, especially at a time the former East African democratic giant is grappling with fragile peace.

But Sam Okello, a local Mayor saw Obama's victory from a different perspective. For him, Obama's nomination should be celebrated in the whole of Africa, especially Kenyan where it would surely boost the tourist industry.

The majority of Kenyans stayed awake on Tuesday night to witness not only the unfolding of history, but also followed the televised victory speech of Senator Obama. He said the US faced a defining moment in the November presidential election.

Grand celebrations continue in most parts of Kenya, with newly born babies named after Barack Obama who last visited the country in 2006 to pay tribute to his ancestors.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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