Obama: views from Kogelo

Obama: views from Kogelo

Advertisement

As Barack Obama visits Kenya, villagers from a herdsman to a housewife living in the birthplace of his father share their views on what the U.S. President has achieved - and what they would like to see next.

“We are proud of better roads, improved security and business opportunities since Barack Obama became the U.S. President,” said Margaret Ngesa (right) of the Legion Maria of African Church Mission, her mother Clementina Auma Ojwang beside her. “Quality education and access to financial capital,” she added, are among the challenges the village still faces.

. Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya

John Okoth, 64, said he has met the U.S. President Obama and his father Barack Obama senior, describing them as “great people with lots of charisma”.

"Obama's presidency has helped our village get good roads, electricity and global recognition," the herdsman said.

. Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya

“President Obama is our son, he clearly knows his roots and he identifies himself with us,” said Imelda Akinyi, 25, who sells fruit from a stall in the trading centre of the village.

"We want him to help us get a modern supermarket in Kogelo and find markets for our fruit and vegetables overseas."

. Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya

“We want Barack Obama to come home more after he vacates the U.S. Presidential seat in 2017,” said Ernest Ogoe, 43, a motorbike mechanic. "Our children need better education therefore we want more schools."

1 / 9

Slideshow

“We expect the U.S. President to come home as a son of this land. Kogelo is the 53rd State of the United States of America,” said Peris Aoko, 37, a housewife.
. Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya

“We expect the U.S. President to come home as a son of this land. Kogelo is the 53rd State of the United States of America,” said Peris Aoko, 37, a housewife.

"We received grants to build houses and shelter from the harsh weather as an indirect benefit from President Obama's leadership," Mary Adhiambo, 25, who sits with her twin daughters Faith Atieno (right) and Mercy Atieno.
. Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya

"We received grants to build houses and shelter from the harsh weather as an indirect benefit from President Obama's leadership," Mary Adhiambo, 25, who sits with her twin daughters Faith Atieno (right) and Mercy Atieno.

"We have a lot of idle youth and that has promoted insecurity within the village," said Gabriel Okello, 56, a miller. He urged Obama to initiate efforts to build export-processing factories in Kogelo as the village, he said, has enough manpower to produce quality products.
. Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya

"We have a lot of idle youth and that has promoted insecurity within the village," said Gabriel Okello, 56, a miller. He urged Obama to initiate efforts to build export-processing factories in Kogelo as the village, he said, has enough manpower to produce quality products.

“I am very proud of the U.S President Barack Obama, as a person living in his ancestral village we have exported our brains and expertise,” said Collins Juma Nyaga, 32, a gold prospector. "What we need for now is good road infrastructure to the gold pits and electricity within the mines.”
. Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya

“I am very proud of the U.S President Barack Obama, as a person living in his ancestral village we have exported our brains and expertise,” said Collins Juma Nyaga, 32, a gold prospector. "What we need for now is good road infrastructure to the gold pits and electricity within the mines.”

"Our children are working hard in school to be like the U.S. President Barack Obama," said Timothy Adede, 50, a herdsman.
. Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya

"Our children are working hard in school to be like the U.S. President Barack Obama," said Timothy Adede, 50, a herdsman.

"I want medical facilities to be improved within Kogelo village," said Stephen Owiti Onyango, 41, a gold prospector.
. Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya

"I want medical facilities to be improved within Kogelo village," said Stephen Owiti Onyango, 41, a gold prospector.

"Manual work in the gold pit is very difficult,” said prospector John Ades, 66. “If President Obama visits the pit, the road network will be improved."
. Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya

"Manual work in the gold pit is very difficult,” said prospector John Ades, 66. “If President Obama visits the pit, the road network will be improved."

“Obama is our hero and we wait to welcome him back home again,” said Vivian Odhiambo, 24, who fries samosas in the trading centre. "We in Kogelo have witnessed general growth and we are proud of being associated with the Obamas."
. Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya

“Obama is our hero and we wait to welcome him back home again,” said Vivian Odhiambo, 24, who fries samosas in the trading centre. "We in Kogelo have witnessed general growth and we are proud of being associated with the Obamas."

“When I see the U.S. President Barack Obama, he reminds me of the gallant nature of his father Barack Obama Senior. He was a sharp and smart young man who never shied away from any matter in the society,” said Malachi Obondu, 70. "With Obama's homecoming, we expect prosperity within the country and in Kogelo, we will hope for the things that we have missed like having a university."
. Kogelo, Kenya. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya

“When I see the U.S. President Barack Obama, he reminds me of the gallant nature of his father Barack Obama Senior. He was a sharp and smart young man who never shied away from any matter in the society,” said Malachi Obondu, 70. "With Obama's homecoming, we expect prosperity within the country and in Kogelo, we will hope for the things that we have missed like having a university."