We do not want to make this website political, but we would be leaving out a large portion of our experience here if we did not mention Kenya’s excitement about Barack Obama and admiration for John McCain.
When we stepped off the plane in September, we were greeted right away with questions about Barack Obama. The energy steadily rose as November approached. Obama’s face regularly appeared on the cover of the local newspapers, and his steps were closely followed by the news stations. The sight of an “Obama Barber Shop” or an Obama photo on the side of a bus was common. Even songs about Obama played on the radio with messages of “hope” and “peace” in a reggae style.
Mock Vote in Kisumu, Kenya
In addition, many taxi cab drivers engaged us in discussions about the US elections and the possibility of an Obama victory. What stood out to me, as the elections drew closer was the curiousity about how US citizens would respond to the results of the election. “Will there be violence if Obama loses?” “Do you think they will count the votes fairly?”
On Nov 5th, we gathered at 3:00am with US, Kenyan and British citizens in a hotel meeting room to watch the elections. A local news station sent reporters to the event and interviewed us throughout the morning. After Obama’s victory was announced, the group had a time of reflection on the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. The many Americans who did not live to see the day when the US would elect an African-American president, were acknowledged (i.e. those who did not survive the middle passage, Emit Till, Rosa Parks…). The gathering ended with the Kenyan, British and American citizens holding hands and singing “We Shall Overcome”…all nations together, we shall overcome someday.”
After the election, the celebrations in the streets began, and the president of Kenya declared a national holiday. What I found interesting; however, is that much of the awe after the election surrounded McCain. “McCain is my second hero,” a co-worker told me. Many Kenyans were amazed at McCain’s concession speech. The runner-up’s willingness to quickly and sincerely support the victor, for the sake of national unity, made a large impression on viewers here. To a country plagued by political division, McCain’s character, values, and love for his country shown through.
The entire experience was a lesson for me in the way the US influences other countries. We are watched very closely. I am grateful that, in the end, the election represented non-violence, equality, justice, and hope for those who watched around the world (especially in Kenya).
Nancy
Posted on November 20th, 2008 by Nancy
Filed under: Uncategorized