Jahi Chikwendiu

Pride of the Fatherland: The Inauguration of Barack Obama

Thousands of miles from Washington, DC, Kenyans celebrated the inauguration of the incoming U.S. presidency of Barack Obama. Kenyans, particularly from his father's home village of Kogelo, symbolically claim the new US president as their own president. 

  • A scene shot through one of the shawls that were on sale on the grounds of the Senator Barack Obama Secondary School in Kogelo, Kenya, where the incoming US president has roots.
  • Kogelo residents dance in celebration of the inauguration of Barack Obama at the Senator Barack Obama Secondary School, where the incoming US president has roots. Following the election of Barack Obama as the U.S. president, more than 100 songs were created in honor of the incoming president.
  • {quote}Mama Sarah{quote} Obama, the paternal grandmother of U.S. president-elect Barack Obama, serves a US-flag-decorated cake that was brought to her by one of her many visitors at her home, the hometown of the incoming president's father, Barack Obama, Sr. While things in the village are changing for the better - such as the influx of electricity and running water - the Obama family has to deal with it's newfound fame in connection with being related to the incoming US President. There are few places the family can travel without being recognized and approached. Streams of visitors pass by the home of {quote}Mama Sarah,{quote} and no longer can she regularly visit the market where she, for years, chatted with friends while selling goods. A life-size likeness of the incoming U.S. presidents stands near a portrait of his deceased father.
  • On the day of the inauguration of U.S. president-elect Barack Obama, a child's face is decorated where celebrations are taking place at the Jomo Kenyatta Sportsground.
  • An image of president-elect Barack Obama is posted on the back of a bus. Kisumu, the country's third largest city, sits on the northeast edge of Lake Victoria.
  • In the hometown of president-elect Barack Obama's father, Barack Obama, Sr., the legacy and influence of the incoming U.S. president is clearly evident as buildings babies, and roads were named in his honor.
  • Kenyan jewelry bears the likeness of Barack Obama.
  • Folks gather to take place in the weeklong festivities celebrating the inauguration of Barack Obama as the President of the United States of America.
  • While waiting for the assembly of a bigger screen on inauguration day, a crowd gathers around a small, generator-powered television that is broadcasting live scenes from Washington, DC, at the Senator Barack Obama Secondary School , the home village of the father of the incoming US president.
  • A Kenyan man shows his support for the incoming U.S. president, Barack Obama, in the days leading up to Obama's inauguration.
  • Tea room walls are shaded using textiles bearing the likeness of the incoming president of the United States of America, Barack Obama.
  • An image of president-elect Barack Obama is posted on the back of a bus in Kisumu, Kenya. Kisumu, the country's third largest city, sits on the northeast edge of Lake Victoria.
  • Kogelo residents dance in celebration of the inauguration of Barack Obama at the Senator Barack Obama Secondary School , where the incoming US president has roots. Following the election of Barack Obama as the U.S. president, more than 100 songs were created in honor of the incoming president.
  • At the Senator Barack Obama Secondary School , folks watch a live projection as incoming U.S. president Barack Obama makes his first public appearance of the day on the U.S Capitol steps of Washington, DC.
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