Masharikileo.com - Linking East Africa with its People

{AD}

Online Edition

October 15, 2008 1:07 AM

Africans for Obama;
draws only 5 Kenyans

Greetings! I wanted to share some thoughts with you concerning the occasion on Saturday, November 15, 2003 for Illinois Senator Barack Obama. I was glad that I went, and I am sure you were too. The Senator as usual was informative, articulate and impressive.

I was amazed, however, that only 5 Kenyans showed up. I am sure that you got the word out to many people, possibly hundreds, and with very good advance notice. It is wholly unlikely that 99.9% were unable to attend due to prior commitments. It stands to reason therefore, that the vast majority decided not to attend.

Why is this? Obama is clearly one of us. He never fails to identify with his home in Alego - Siaya District in Nyanza province and his pride in his Kenyan roots.

Even without altruistic support for a fellow Kenyan, there is definite self interest in helping him along. Obama is not a long shot, and is doing very well in the race. If he wins, he will be one of the most powerful people in the US, able to speak with anyone as need be, including the President, and having a big influence on matters that are essential to all of us. This includes both internal and foreign policy for the US. He would be able to help any one of us at a moment’s notice, if there is a motivation of recognizing our support.

Yet our Kenyans ignore him. Are we all wealthy, self confident and fully secure? Are we all islands that care naught for our brother and his achievements? I must confess to grave disappointment and deep disillusionment.

Obama will go where he is going, with or without his purported fellow Kenyans. He doesn’t need us, and by the look of things, he should have no reason to miss our company.

But our people must look at themselves, and see the grave defects in their character. Those who have no sense of community, no regard for the achievements of others, and cannot be bothered to lift even a finger in support of their own, are doomed by their own impudence and capriciousness.

They will neither deserve, nor obtain respect.

Regards,

Baru Karingithi Wang’ombe