News
Obama takes an early lead
U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and his wife Michelle prepare to cast their ballots in the U.S. presidential election at the Beulah Shoesmith Elementary School in Chicago. PHOTO/REUTERS
Posted Wednesday, November 5 2008 at 00:05
Mr McCain was expected to vote in his home state of Harizona at 7pm Kenyan time. Mrs Palin was expected to vote in her Alaska state before end of voting at 9am Wednesday.
In many towns across Kenya, wananchi were glued to their television screens expecting early results. Substantive results were expected to have started trickling from 3am.
And in Kisumu, a mock voting was characterised by a long queue in front of the booth with Mr Obama’s portrait.
Hotels and entertainment spots in Kisumu, Nairobi and Mombasa were making arrangements for their patrons to keep vigil to monitor the results.
In Mombasa, two giant burgers — one called Obama and the other, McCain — prepared by the staff of Sarova Whitesands beach resort, will be the highlight of celebrations ushering in the new US president.
According to the hotel’s general manager, Mr Mohammed Hirsi, the special double-decker hamburgers were prepared to commemorate the event.
And following the death of Mrs Dunham, Mr Obama’s family in Kogelo sent him a condolence message, but urged him to soldier on until the results are announced.
Inter-denominational prayers were conducted in the village as the election was going on in the US.
According to opinion polls, Mr Obama was expected to garner 317 of the 538 electoral college votes — more than the 270 he needs to become America’s next president.
He led by 10 percentage points in Pennsylvania, which Mr McCain has targeted as his best chance to steal a state won by John Kerry in 2004.
Missouri, where Mr Obama led by one percentage point on Monday, was by yesterday dead even at 49 per cent for each of the candidates.
And in Indiana, Mr McCain leads Mr Obama by five points. The state has not supported a Democrat for president since 1964. Mr Obama was expected to campaign in the state by Tuesday evening.
In North Carolina, Mr McCain was ahead of Mr Obama by a 1-point margin. The state has not voted for a Democratic since 1976.
“It looks like it could be a big victory for Obama, and McCain has to win essentially all of the states still in play,” said pollster John Zogby.
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Submitted by abingobenPosted November 05, 2008 06:53 AM
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Submitted by aquinouk
If obama wins Kenya will not be made another state in the USA. So what is up with all this celebrating nonsense going on in kenya? Take care of your own problems and shut your big mouths. I hope he doesn't win.
Posted November 05, 2008 03:35 AM
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Hey AM you seem to be worked up by the mere fact that some people have decided to approach the American election differently from your way of doing things. You have no reason at all to tell them to shut up. How does their celebration affect you by the way? In 1998 Kenyans were killed by terrorists due to American poor foreign policies. That's why you see this happening all over-people want a friendly U.S.A with good foreign policies. By the way what will you gain by Obama losing? Abingo-South Africa.