The two graves of Obama Senior and the grand father of Obama at Nyang'oma Kogelo in Siaya county yesterday.Photo Lameck Baraza
Friday, May 29, 2015
THE Siaya County Government will spend Sh1 million on the restoration, maintenance and care of Barack Obama’s father’s grave in Kogelo ahead of the US President’s visit in July. Governor Cornel Rasanga has given the department of Tourism the go-ahead to implement the project before Air Force One arrives in Nairobi.
Siaya County Chief Executive committee member for Tourism Charles Akello confirmed that the department will spend Sh1 million to carry out the grave grooming. Akello said the amount will also cater for the restoration of Obama’s grandfather’s grave “that is just next to that of his father”. “We shall also put up a visitor’s park in Kogelo, where Mama Sarah [Obama’s stepmother] will receive her visitors,” Akello said on the phone yesterday.
"Remember these plans were mooted long ago, before we even had information that the US President would be visiting the country,'' he said.
Akello said the works have already commenced and will see Obama Senior’s grave maintained and cared for. He said even if the US President does not visit Kogelo during his July visit to Kenya, the Tourism department will continue with the maintenance works to ensure the village becomes a tourist attraction site.
The county’s chief officer for Tourism, Joseph Ogutu, said they have also planned a series of activities that will be held ahead of Obama’s visit. He said plans are in the early stages for a rugby tournament and marathon in July to raise the county’s profile. “These activities will help promote and market tourism in the county, showcasing tourism sites like Kanyaboli, among others,” he said. Ogutu also disclosed that they are working with other partners to organise a tourism expo and cultural festival. He said that some of the activities will take place whether or not the US President gets to visit Kogelo during his stay in Kenya, while others are dependent on his coming.
Meanwhile, the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Fatuma Dullo, told senators yesterday it has not been established whether Obama will address Parliament or visit his father's Kogelo home. Obama will attend the annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit and the government says it is too early for a final programme. Dullo said the organising committee had not yet made a request to the parliamentary leadership for the address.
Siaya Senator James Orengo welcomed the visit, but remarked that the way the whole matter has been handled showed it was not a State visit. “The government should take steps to officially invite President Obama because, the way things are, he may not even visit State House,” Orengo said.