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23 items tagged "Obama"

Related tags: inauguration [+], in [+], and [+], Ghana [+], Africa [+]

• July 13, 2009
• 8:05

  "African Blood" Saved Obama From Scrutiny in Ghana

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama in Ghana  

  Ombuya E. Okong'o   argues that Obama, in his policies towards Africa, is no different than his predecessors. He says because of Obama's ancestry, Africans have failed to ask tougher questions, and have a very narrow definition of their expectations of him. In his criticism of the continent, Obama is as patronizing as they come.
  Do you agree? Read more, and engage.
• January 22, 2009
• 4:45

  The Dawn of the Obama Era: In Memory of the Ancestors

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama and Africa  

  The Obama era has begun. Like millions of people in the United States and around the world today I sat glued to the television watching the historic inauguration, relishing the man and the moment, its substance and symbolism. Tomorrow, of course the hard work starts and the harsh realities facing the new president will break today's magical spell. America's daunting challenges will puncture the bubble of messianic expectations invested in the young president. The extraordinary euphoria that has gripped this nation and parts of the world is obviously unsustainable, and it will inevitably evaporate in the predictable whirlwind of stumbles, setbacks, even scandals, not to mention the structural obstacles, the systemic imperatives of this mighty but beleaguered capitalist country and imperial power that will constrain bold changes, truly progressive transformation.
  
  More.

  

  
• 3:32

  A Salute to Barack Obama's Father

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama inauguration  

  As I headed out the door to witness the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44Th President of the United States, I thought about his late father. Much of what we’ve heard about the president’s “Old Man” has been from the president himself and others who knew very little about him. But the elder Obama’s is a story of the African immigrant — a story of a people who come to a new country and learn so fast to become the most educated group.
  
  What follows is an except from my stand-up comedy set performed on Sunday at The African Inaugural Ball in Silver Spring, MD. Part true, part fiction, the account is based on my life and the stories of other African immigrants in the United States. Knowing what I know about the Old Man – and having grown up in the same area as he, I have no doubt he would have appreciated the humor.
  
  Don’t hate; Inaugurate!
  More?

  

  
• January 21, 2009
• 6:01

  Presenting Kenya to the world with Obama

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama inauguration  

  In these days leading up to Barack Obama's inauguration, Kenyans have left the euphoria of November to reflect on the possibilities the Obama moment has brought for change in their particular lives. Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Concerned Kenyan Writers, an online collective of writers and scholars who came together during the 2007 post-election violence, have engaged in lively debates in the last week over the entertainment scheduled for the inauguration dinner at the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, DC. A particular poet and a particular boys' choir are the subject: are they the kind of representation we would like for Americans and the world to see?
  More?

  

  
• 5:59

  What Obama can do for Kenya

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama inauguration  

  This week marks the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America. But despite the massive hope that Obama's presidency bring for Kenya, there is a growing scepticism about his ability or even willingness to assist his father's country of birth.
  First, the US has enough problems on its own for Obama to focus on Kenya. In spite of his Kenyan roots, not only is Obama an American, as opposed to being Kenyan, he is the president of the United States. In addition to acting in the domestic interests of his people, other issues of priority would lie in the threats and opportunities provided by the Middle East and the economic crisis obliges the new president to confront the challenges that come with emerging powers such as China and India. When not engrossed on these issues, environmental concerns, democracy and the rule of law are likely to take up the president's time and attention.  
  More. 

  

  
• January 19, 2009
• 20:51

  Join our Liveblog on Barack Obama's Inauguration

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama inauguration  

  Here at KenyaImagine, we will be hosting a live blog of the inauguration. You are invited to share with hundreds others in a live observation of this event, share perspectives from your family and friends, and from that part of the world that you call home. 

  Happy New Year!

  Inauguration festivities, a music concert, begin in Washington DC at 10amEST (-5GMT). Barack Obama will deliver his Inaugural address at NoonEST (-5GMT). After the address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony.

  We will begin the live blog at 10amEST: Kenya (6pm), South Africa (5pm), England (3pm), Australia-Melbourne (2am Wednesday)

  Cheers!

  kI editorial team

  

  
• January 16, 2009
• 9:17

  Kalembe Ndile Donates 21-inch Tv to Ministry of Foreign Affairs

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama inauguration  

  According to the Daily Nation , Ndile donated a 21-inch television set to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that ministry officials would save themselves a trip to DC for Obama's inauguration.

  However, his gesture was not received well as his “donation” was rejected. The former Kibwezi MP was also not allowed into the building with the gift. None of the ministry officials was willing to take the TV set, with the minister, his assistant and PS not available to receive it.
  

  Read more.

  

  
• January 15, 2009
• 22:58

  Marketing Obama in Kenya: Introducing the oPhone

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama  

  Ala, I just read about a new phone in the Kenyan market. Well, the phone isn't really know. Apparently its a cheap Chinese handset (a Finnish reapoff) with an Obama logo.
  Want more?

  

  
• January 14, 2009
• 22:48

  Obama: Letter to My Daughters

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama  

  Dear Malia and Sasha,
  I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.
  Read Obama's letter to his daughters here. 

  

  
• November 12, 2008
• 9:57

  The Absurdity of Hopelessness

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama  

  First we are the only country in the world to declare a public holiday to honour the election of a foreign head of state. That was bad enough. But our national obsession with Barack Obama knows no bounds. 
  
  Want more?

  

  
• November 06, 2008
• 2:45

  My Obamamania fear

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama  

  t's everywhere! You can't escape it, even in the unlikely event that you might want to, but after about 48 hours of hearing Obama ringtones everywhere, seing Obama T-shirts, badges, American flags on Kenyans' cars and everyone suddenly becoming an expert on Obama, I could only take so much without the temptation of wanting to pull out one of my locks in protest! I mean, what happened to the other events going on in Kenya, like the operation in Mandera that has left a whole community without any abled men (not that anyone will do anything about it), the demolitions on Thika Rd (ok, so I heard James Smart on news say they will not be compensated) and everything else!
  
  Want more?

  

  

• November 05, 2008
• 3:20

  President Obama

   » ‎ bankelele

  Tags:  Obama  

  
  
  Congratulations to Barack Obama the next President of the United States of America. His name has appeared in these pages five times before today:
  
  - April 2005: Congratulations to Wangari Maathai and Barack Obama for making the 2005 Time Magazine Heroes list. However I fear this achievement will be overshadowed be overshadowed by the drama surrounding Presidential wives.
  - August 2007: After Oprah endorsed Obama , I endorsed Jonathan Mueke who was gunning for the Westlands MP seat
  - January 2008: One review of the post-election violence in Kenya found that in the pre-election period, the (Kenyan) opposition may have been falsely buoyed by opinion polls which are not sound (& could the same thing have happened to Obama in New Hampshire?)
  - Also in January 2008 mused that President Obama needs Equity Bank because 46% of African American household’s don’t have bank accounts – and he should borrow Equity Bank’s revolutionary model to bring banking to the unbanked.
  - April 2008: In queing for the Safaricom IPO refers to a Kenyan habit of waiting till the last minute to do things as Obama also took a long time to warp up his party nomination.
  
  Here’s to many more mentions, starting with - US stocks reacted positively on election day, and in the post election victory celebration the Nairobi Stock Exchange(NSE) has also rallied [Top gainers according to stockskenya - National Bank +9.94, CFC +9.91, Kenya Airways +9.91, Sasini +9.83, Diamond Trust +9.79 with no losers yet]

• November 04, 2008
• 23:49

  Text of Obama's Victory Speech

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama  

  Published below is the text of the US 44th President-elect- Barack Obama's speech. Please make your reactions in the comment box below.

  If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

  Read the rest here.  And share your reactions to Obama's speech.
  

  

  
• November 01, 2008
• 20:11

  I'm not feeling you barack

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama  

  As others plot to build airports and rename secondary schools in your honour (brief clip I saw of Senator Obama high school in Kogelo), i will be looking Tuesday to ignore the Obama lovefest, when as I hope he wins.

  There was this friend in high School who derided what he called Utu Umati , or following the crowd. I never was one for utu umati and this influences me in a direction far more critical of Obama than most.

  A few gripes

  

  
• October 29, 2008
• 21:38

  American Stories, American Solutions (video)

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama  

  There are only five days left until Americans pick their new president. Over 16.5 million voters have already cast early ballots all across the US. According to a Washington Post survey 59% of these votes are in favor of Senator Barack Obama.
  
  Watch the video here.

  

  
• October 28, 2008
• 15:52

  Kenya: Exploring Obama's Religious Roots

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama  

  On a recent trip to Kenya, I sat down with Said Obama, Sen. Barack Obama's uncle, and asked him about his family and religion.
  
  "We were born into a Muslim family in a predominantly Christian area," Said Obama said. "We went to Christian schools and studied Christian religious education. Whenever we were short of something we were sent into Christian homes (to borrow) and whenever they were short of something they were sent into our home. Religion never became an issue."
  
  Want more?

  

  
• October 22, 2008
• 23:33

  What is America to me? Thoughts on the US Presidential elections

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama  

  Countee Cullen, a black American poet, once asked: What is Africa to me?
  
  With the US elections just days away, and Africans holding their breath, fingers mostly crossed for Senator Barack Obama, I find I have to reverse the question and ask: What is America to me?

  Why should the outcome of the US presidential elections matter to Africa?
  
  What my heart feels and what my mind knows are at loggerheads. My heart, nationalistic and black, beats with the ups and downs of the Obama campaign. But my mind, at times cynical but always searching for the bottom line of things, knows an Empire is not run on good will, that there are no gentle giants and that history is not erased overnight.

  Want more?

  

  
• October 07, 2008
• 3:49

  Liveblog: US Presidential Debate |Town Hall

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama  

  The second US presidential debate is bound to be another interesting moment on the race to the White House. While the first debate was on foreign policy, and the third will be on the country's failing economy, this debate will have a town hall meeting style.
  Obama leads [...]
  
  Join us for a live-chat on the 2nd US presidential debate.

  

  

• September 30, 2008
• 10:22

  Stepping out of the closet... for Barack Obama

   » ‎ Startups in Kenya

  Tags:  Obama  

  My first title was just "Stepping out of the closet" which I thought would be catchy and provocative. On further thought however, I decided to add the latter part, as there was also a danger that some might not read further than the title and proverbially judge a book by its cover. No offence intended to those who are in/out of the closet in the narrower sense of the word. I'm quite open-minded and I don't judge any one by how they like their eggs.
  So back to the topic, yes, Barack Obama.  Finally writing that makes me question whether I shouldn't just retreat back into the closet. You see Obama is undeniably the biggest news story of 2008, a historic candidate for POTUS, an inspirational story of achievement, and a potential 'leader of the free world'. Let's not forget that as a Kenyan I share some heritage with him (sarcastically: heck I could be his cousin!). These circumstances should require... no ... demand that I spend a respectable amount of time talking, writing, and discussing Obama. 
  However, when in presence of others I have done the exact opposite. I avoid blogging about, invoking, or referencing Obama, I extract myself from conversations which bring him up, I change the channel when he comes on TV; all in the pursuit of an outwardly nonchalance about him. However in my 'closet', I voraciously read news stories about him on NY Times, CNN, and occasionally, Fox News, I wake up at 1 am to watch Situation Room on CNN, I have read Dreams From My Father, I contemplate his story and wonder, if I could be as dedicated and inspirational in the pursuit of my dreams. 
  Why the charade you may ask? 
  Well upto this point, I have - like many others - fallen into the false belief that "whether he is elected as POTUS or not, it won't add any sufurias of ugali in my house" In short, it doesn't matter to me. 
  I'm coming to doubt that notion, and I think it does matter to me and that's why I'm stepping out of my closet today, waving my Obama 08 flag proudly. I now believe that whether or not Obama is eventually elected, his quest for the most powerful office in the world has profoundly shaped the course I'll pursue to fulfill my own dreams. If I would be so corny as to use two proverbs in one post, his case is one where its the journey and not the destination that matters. Of course, if he is eventually elected, it will add more weight to his story's influence on millions of people, but as is, Obama has inspired me to see and believe that I can be much much more.

• March 04, 2008
• 2:25

  Why Obama must win the nomination

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama  

  I am not one for hype. I do not even have a Facebook account, so you know how quickly I wrote off Barrack Obama's chances of winning the American Presidency. It did not help either that he was chummy with Kenya 's opposition leader Raila Odinga. I was not the only one who'd written him off it seems. Many Kenyans, even we tribal people, who will vote anyone we share the slightest 'blood' bond with, had already given up on him. We were immensely proud, a brave effort, he would make a good showing, but it would be best if he gave up and accepted that America was not ready for a black President. Maybe try for number two while he learned the ropes, made a few friends and got some experience. Over in the United States, the black people came out in large numbers, speaking against him, he was not black enough, his blackness was foreign, Kenyan, not African-American and he knew nothing of the stigma of slavery or of segregation.
  
  Read more from Stephen Wanyama here.
  

  

  
• February 03, 2008
• 20:53

  Obama woos 20,000 Minnesotans

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama  

  The race for the Democratic Party's ticket at the next American presidential elections is assured a place in history. In this normally conservative country, there will for a first time be either a woman or an African-American on the party ticket.
  
  Illinois Senator Barrack Obama is that African-American, and he has taken the country by storm, forming a coalition for change that cuts right across America's social fabric. This weekend, ahead of the Super Tuesday block of caucuses and primaries the Senator was campaigning in Minnesotta where a large community of Kenyans abroad live. He was received with rapturous applause (not in the least by the Kenyan contingent) and with such passionate adulation that it was not always clear who was the spectacle the tall thin man who could soon become the most powerful man in the world or his supporters, crying, cheering and worshipping in his presence.
  
  Read more here.

  

  

• January 29, 2008
• 1:46

  Kutwa: Tuesday: Pick out a positive story

   » ‎ bankelele

  Tags:  Obama  

  Bank Round-up
  - Co-op Bank extends its banking hours from the now less-traditional 9 to 3 to 9 a.m. to 4. p.m. daily and up to noon on Saturdays.
  
  - bold Equity Bank announced plans last week to open new branches in Kisumu, but that was before a new outbreak of violence over the weekend and the fatal shooting of an opposition MP this morning.
  
  - The Business Daily reports that West African giant Ecobank, plans to take over a majority stake in limping mortgage bank EABS whose recent growth had lagged most of its peers
  
  - NIC Bank to convert this cashless ATM points into full branches and expand its network.
  
  capital flight: A leading multi-national bank is considering moving an African operations department out of Nairobi, and to another country. The amount of capital flight (money leaving the country) is also at an alarming high.
  
  Other sectors
  - Valentine’s day massacre?; What does Naivasha flare up mean for some flower farms who Valentine's Day (Feb 14) shipment/sales can account for up to ½ their turnover in a year ?
  - Nairumor that a blue chip CEO and turnaround specialist will resign next month in search of (foreign) greener pastures
  - The Harvard Business School’s Africa Business Conference is on February 15-17, 2008 in Boston MA. Details from YAP
  - Some troubling signs and even more today.
  - Another regional airline upstart is Executive Turbine, flying 4X weekly to Kisumu for Kshs. 3,540 ($70). Regional airlines should be added to the earlier post on election winners.
  
  Trivia
  - Will ‘President Obama’ need Equity Bank? - because 46% of African American household’s don’t have bank accounts - he can tap Equity Bank’s revolutionary model to bring banking to the unbanked.
  
  - wish I was in France: It’s better to be a rogue trader facing charges for misplacing $7 billion. But it’s also a reminder that financial shenanigans are still rarely punished and prosecuted in Kenya. E.g. Francis Thuo. (and maybe Mr. Kerviel would rather have worked for a Kenyan bank instead)

• June 02, 2007
• 0:18

  American elections 2008: The Dream ticket

   » ‎ Kenya Imagine

  Tags:  Obama  

  Dave Nyambati writes on the dream ticket-- former Vice President Al Gore and Senator Obama winning the Democratic nominations. Read the rest here.