New links in dreams from Obama’s father

As Barack Obama lives the dreams from his father in his White House bid, an American woman goes about her business in Nairobi’s Lavington estate without attracting much attention.

She doesn’t talk about politics, and she doesn’t talk about the Obama Snr she once married.

At the opposite end of town, in Huruma estate live the US candidate’s close relatives. They too have, until recently, been little known. But unlike the woman, they are mobbed by a prying international press, no doubt looking for material with which to help or hurt the Obama Campaign.

In the book Dreams from my Father by the US presidential candidate, Ruth Ndesandjo features prominently.

Obama Snr’s third wife, unlike Senator Obama’s mother Ann, is one of the least known ever since she came to Kenya from Havard 44 years ago and married Obama Snr.

Recognises Ruth

A close family friend who talked to the Nation after the interview at her residence had fond memories of his encounter with Ruth’s parents in Boston, USA, in 1966. Mr Barack Odinge Odera said Obama Snr and Ruth were a wonderful couple.

Ruth was most reluctant to do this interview. “No interview about my private life. I’m Mrs Ndesandjo, a caring man who built for me the school you visited,” she said.

And she could only talk about education, and called for the overhaul of the 8-4-4 system, saying: “These children have no time to be children.

They wake up at 4am carrying loads of books, remain in class the whole day, do home work in the evening and sleep with examinations in mind.

“Life’s not about that. That’s why some footballers, musicians or athletes are earning more money than professors.”

Mrs Ndesandjo was pained by the recent student strikes, and even more pained by the corporal punishment prescribed. “If you fight your wife everyday thinking she will be disciplined, then you are wrong. She will hate you,” Mrs Ndesandjo said.

Across town, is the 26-six year-old Obama Jnr’s half-brother called Hussein, a brother called Rajab and a niece called Mwanaisha. Rajab, who has a college education recently moved out to a more upmarket address.

Their mother, Mrs Jael Otieno, stays in Atlanta, US, but has kept a low profile. She, however, sends money to the family.