Court rejects anti-Obama suit

U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama arrives for a campaign rally at Bonanza High School in Las Vegas on Saturday. Photo/REUTERS

A US federal judge has rejected a lawsuit claiming Senator Barack Obama is ineligible to run for the presidency because he was either born in Kenya or is a citizen of Indonesia.

The US Constitution requires that a person must be born and be a citizen of the country to be eligible for the presidency.

Judge Richard Barclay Surrick ruled that Philip Berg, a Pennsylvania attorney, lacked standing to bring such a suit.

The claim filed by Mr Berg, a supporter of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, is one of several attempts to block what appears to be Mr Obama’s increasingly likely victory at the November 4 polls. 

Segments of the US right wing will be disappointed by the decision.

Ancestral home

Many of the same extremists have sought to link Senator Obama to Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is portrayed by Obama-haters as a communist and a supporter of radical Islam.

Meanwhile, Mr Odinga said on Sunday that Africa stands to benefit more from fair trade practices and investment opportunities under an Obama presidency.

Speaking at Mr Obama’s ancestral home in Nyang’oma-Kogelo on Sunday, Mr Odinga said that Mr Obama’s policies were based on the need for greater world peace and an expanded global economy.

“His policies will expand and deepen the relationship with Africa,” said Mr Odinga. “Africa will get more attention because he recognises that the continent does not need a baby-sitter but fair and extensive trade practices, ” he said.

He however, asked Kenyans not to expect direct favours from Mr Obama. “Kenyans support Mr Obama not because of his ancestry but because of what he stands for,” said Mr Odinga.

He expressed optimism that Mr Obama would win the elections by a landslide. “He is going to be the president of the USA. That is a fact,” said Mr Odinga.

Additional reporting by Walter Menya