The news this morning that Barack Obama has become President of the United States brought singing and dancing to the streets of Nairobi. Tomorrow has been declared a Public Holiday. I am pretty certain that it is a first for Kenya to declare a holiday for a foreign Head of State. The excitement was tangible as I drove through the streets of Nairobi today. Rappers sang the Obama song, grocery boys beamed optimism and when my American accent was recognised, strangers yelled "Obama" with enormous smiles and gave me a thumbs up. From a political perspective, it already feels better to be an American. And for so many today, it felt great to be a Kenyan too. Obama is a symbol here. He represents a brighter future and a bigger national identity to believe in. Will Barack Obama becoming President change the daily lives of the average Kenyan? - of this Samburu woman pictured above? In many ways no. But in some very important ways, yes. And here's to that!
1 comment:
The excitement is palpable in the U.S. as well, Nella! Thanks for sharing your impressions of Nairobi's celebration. I can almost feel the smiles from here:)
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