Hiiraan Online

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Scenes of wild celebrations were seen on television screens from across the country where Kenyans kept vigil all night following the U.S. election in giant screens.

Kenyans kept vigil in entertainment joints in the capital Nairobi throughout Tuesday night as they followed keenly and waited anxiously for the results of the historic poll where Republican nominee John McCain was left trailing the Democrat nominee.

"This is a momentous day not only in the history of the United States of America, but also for us in Kenya. The victory of Senator Obama is our own victory because of his roots here in Kenya. As a country, we are full of pride for his success," Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki said in a statement.

In Kogelo village of western Kenya, where the Democratic candidate Barack Obama's late father was born, police tightened security to prevent dozens of foreign and local media and villagers from entering the rural homestead of Obama's step-grandmother, Sarah.

However, the Wednesday, November 05, 2008Wednesday, November 05, 2008elderly woman including close relatives came outside to cheer for Obama in a country where the Democrat is seen as a "son of the soil."

Kenyans expressed confidence that "one of their own" has trounced his rival McCain who trailed for much of the night. Most of them were gearing up for "real celebrations" later in the day and on Thursday.

"So far so good and we are happy and the celebrations will continue here in the city and down in Kogelo," said Samson Mbugua, a Nairobi resident who had followed the results through the night.

Obama's family and friends stayed awake through the night and followed the results from a big screen television.

Kogelo is now the target of unprecedented government-sponsored development projects that appear prompted by the worldwide attention it is receiving, although Kenyan officials deny it.

In his statement, President Kibaki said that Obama's unassailable victory was a clear testimony of the confidence the American people have not only in his leadership and vision for his country but for the world at large.

"On behalf of the government and people of Kenya, and on my own behalf, I join the rest of the world in celebrating and congratulating you on your election as the 44th President of the United States of America," Kibaki said.

"I am confident that your presidency shall herald a new chapter of dialogue between the American people and the world at large."

The president also expressed readiness of his government to work with the new American administration to further promote and strengthen relations that exist between the two countries.

"We the Kenyan people are immensely proud of your Kenyan roots. Your victory is not only an inspiration to millions of people all over the world, but it has special resonance with us in Kenya."

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka said Obama's victory heralds a new dawn in history of America and in relations between America and other nations of the world.

"It is exciting for Kenya not only because of continental attachment to president-elect because of his roots in Kenya but because Obama victory is a harbinger of good tidings especially for our tourism sector."

The VP said many Americans would now wish to visit country of the father of their new president.

He said never before has a U.S. presidential candidate been widely supported across the world. "This means Obama's leadership of US is likely to bring world nations closer and bridge polarization that currently exist." he said.

The remarks came as a party kicked off early Wednesday at the U.S. ambassador's residence in the Kenyan capital, attended by journalists, members of the diplomatic corps and top government officials.

Kenyan Nobel Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai said she would plant a tree in commemoration of an Obama victory.

"I want to remember his victory by a tree," the veteran environmentalist who was recognized for her role in fighting forest depletion in the country said.

Water Minister Charity Ngilu had a plan lined up. "Today I am going to see that we can ensure that our rivers are protected," she said.

Assistant Minister for roads Lee Kinyanjui said: "It is a historic moment for all of us in a big way and the mood here is ecstatic."

Barack Obama, the 47 year-old senator from Illinois, has endured a grueling 21 month-long campaign where he trounced former first lady Hillary Clinton for the Democratic vote.

Kenyans have followed the election campaigns keenly with the hope that an Obama win would bring good tidings.

"I will probably do something that I have not done for some time like buy new clothes," said Daniel Obonyo when asked what he would do if Senator Obama won the polls. Senator Obama said his election was the answer to all those who doubted the United States was capable of such a step.

Obama captured the key battleground states of Pennsylvania and Ohio, before passing the essential figure of 270 electoral college votes at 0400 GMT, when projections showed he had also taken California and a slew of other states.

Then came the news that he had also seized Florida, Virginia and Colorado - all of which voted Republican in 2004 - turning swathes of the map from red to blue.

Several other key swing states are hanging in the balance.

In Indiana and North Carolina, with most of the vote counted, there was less than 0.5 percentage points between the two candidates.

Source: Xinhua, Nov 05, 2008