How Obama magic has changed life in sleepy Kogelo

That Nyangoma Kogelo, the home village of US President Barack Obama’s father, is one of the biggest beneficiaries of his magic, is not in doubt.

The sleepy, remote village has been thrust on the world stage with scholars and tourists from around the globe flocking in to research and see a place that will become a legend with the passing of time.

Delegations troop in daily to greet Mama Sarah Obama, the grandmother of the US President.

And the county government could cash in on the dollars that will flow in from foreign tourists.

This, on two fronts, the one-and-half acre compound that could become a future Obama shrine and the growing town around it.

President Obama’s name has turned Mama Sarah into a Queen and Kogelo into a royal Kraal.

School parties, local and foreign tourists visit the home from where Barack Obama Sr to see his grave and get a glimpse of the roots of the man who became the president of the most powerful nation in the world.

Says American tourist Carolyn Cain: “I am impressed; this is one of the loveliest villages!”

Ms Cain, from Tallahassee, Florida, was among many Americans and locals in Kogelo waiting to see Mama Sarah.

“The good things that are happening here including the road network should continue,” she says.

The compound is guarded by police for 24 hours and visiting hours have been posted at the gate, between 10 am and 5 pm and 10 am and 4 pm for Saturdays. 

However, visits were restricted following the recent killing of terror mastermind Osama bin Laden by US Navy Seals.

Before the restrictions, Ms Marsat Onyango, who controls her diary, says Mama Sarah received up to 100 people  daily.

Kogelo now has electricity, an ICT centre, schools and a health centre.

“I feel good being part of Kogelo, electricity free water and now tarmac is coming all in the shortest time,” remarked George Ochieng Ogola, a boda boda motorcycle operator.

Indeed, Aegis Construction company is busy tarmacking the Ndori-Ng’iya road passing through Nyangoma with a detour to the Kogelo home that will make it easy for tourists to visit.

Kogelo Village Resort, a tourist class hotel nearing completion is set to change the skyline of the area.

Nicholas Rajula, a nominated councillor in Siaya municipality whose company owns the facility also intends to put a fish pond where visitors will be choosing the live fish to be cooked for them.

Built on two acres, it has cottages, conference facilities and a roof top from where tourists can view Asembo Bay on Lake Victoria, Got Ramogi, the Luo ancestral home and Got Ng’iya.

The hotel slogan is: The Village Where My Father was Born, echoing President Obama’s reference to his father’s birth place in his books.

There is also a recreation centre built by the president’s half-brother Malik Obama.

Two boreholes now supply clean water to residents in the village while two schools, a primary and a secondary, are named after Obama.

A sign of the bright future of Nyangoma Kogelo is also being manifested by what is happening today.

Price of land has suddenly shot up. For instance, an acre which used to be a paltry Sh30,000 in the pre-Obama days is as high as Sh600,000.