Village upbeat about change of fortunes

Donkeys laden with containers of water strut along the dusty earthen road that cuts across Nyang’oma Market, heading towards K’Ogelo Village.

Nothing about the market in Siaya District indicates the importance of the area, save for the signboard that screams, “Senator Obama Kogelo Secondary School.”

Previously little known, K’Ogelo has captured global attention, thanks to one of its sons who is gunning for the top seat in the US.

Though it still bears the characteristics of a typical rural village, its fortunes have changed considerably in the past few years.

Today, it is arguably the most popular village in the country, synonymous with Barack Obama’s bid for the presidency.

Numerous visitors, from journalists to tourists and local politicians, have been trooping to the sleepy village to touch base with the roots of the man who is causing ripples in the political scene of the world’s superpower.

Many visitors

“We have had many visitors coming over in the recent past,” says Mr Dismas Jawa, who runs a bicycle repair workshop under a tree at Nyang’oma Market, about a kilometre from the Obama home.

Village banter has gone international, with talk of the goings on in the presidential contest in the far away country dominating discussions.

A short distance from Mr Jawa’s workshop, a group of young men are gathered under a tree, conversing loudly. The subject of their excitement is a herd of cattle passing by.

One of them, a brown bull with white spots, has been christened “Obama” and another bears the name of his challenger, McCain.

“These bulls are always fighting,” offers one of them.

The youth however decline to be drawn into a discussion about their famous “cousin” unless they are paid up front.

“We are tired of answering questions about Obama for free,” one of them declares.

An economy is emerging around the popularity of the presidential candidate, and it is not only about information regarding his background.

Traders selling T-shirts, caps, portraits and other items bearing his portrait are doing brisk business.

The status of K’Ogelo has been rising with every new day and residents are upbeat about their fortunes in the foreseeable future.

To them, an Obama presidency holds the key to a good life that they have never had. He is something akin to a saviour who is going to deliver them from the dusty paths to well carpeted tarmac roads, from tin lamps to electricity.

Already, things are looking up for the village. Security has been beefed up, with a police post set up at the home of the presidential hopeful’s grandmother.

Screened by police

Getting into the fenced compound is an uphill task as visitors are screened by the police to weed out journalists, who have been banned from the home’s precinct.

The homestead that was once teeming with local and foreign scribes is deserted, save for some officers resting under one of the mango trees that dot the compound.

The recently erected metallic green gates are kept shut and when we approach, one of the policemen comes towards us. Before one is allowed in, the mission has to be stated to the officers.

These are some of the trappings of power that Mama Sarah Hussein Obama is enjoying.

However, other villagers believe that the benefits accruing from her grandson’s presidency will eventually trickle down.

“It is not just his immediate family that will benefit,” says Mr Jawa.

The extended family members have always had their agenda fixed. During Mr Obama’s visit to the country, a memorandum was prepared and presented to him at a closed door meeting.

According to Ms Hilda Atieno Were, a cousin, who presented the memorandum, it contained requests for his support in handling family responsibilities.

“Basically, we wanted him to consider providing communal help to the family, such as linking the many orphans in the family to scholarship opportunities,” she explained in an earlier interview.

However, Ms Were said that she does not expect to benefit directly as an individual from her cousin if he makes it to White House.

“I look forward to seeing him pushing the agenda of African nations,” she said.

And his uncle, Mr Said Obama, says it is too early to begin discussing benefits such benefits.

“Let us cross that river when we get there,” he says.

In K’Ogelo Nyang’oma, unrealistically high hopes of a better life beyond the November polls abound.

“I am sure this is the time that we are going to change Alego,” says Sammy Otieno, one of the villagers.

Not that money will begin dropping from the skies, Mr Otieno adds, but attention will now be paid to exploiting the untapped natural resources.
“He could help us exploit the waters of River Yala for agriculture,” he says.

Mr Otieno is however not sure if there could be some regulations in the US that could bar their relative from helping the area after he ascends to power.

“He is different from local politicians and could be more helpful,” he says.

Probably, he adds, the Siaya Airstrip could be upgraded to international status to accommodate Airforce One when Mr Obama comes calling as president of America.

“Many projects will come up around here, thus creating employment opportunities,” says Steven Otieno, a mason.

For Mr Jawa the bicycle repair man, an opportunity to expand his business is beckoning with the ascension of their kin to the presidency.

Celebrate the feat

“I will be able to access loans to invest more into my business,” he says.

Probably, he will move from under the tree to an ultra-modern shop.

There is not a single doubt in the minds of K’Ogelo residents that Obama will make it.

Village traditional healer John Odima Ohito says that he has used his paraphernalia to foresee Obama’s victory.

“I have also had visions on three occasions that he has taken the seat,” Mr Ohito adds.

Already, the villagers are contemplating the magnitude of the celebrations that will be held to celebrate the feat.

“The celebrations will only be comparable to the ones we had during Uhuru celebrations in 1963,” says Mr Jawa.