Obama’s grandmother steals the show at event

• Mama Sarah flags off marathon as crowds rush to stadium to catch a glimpse

Mama Sarah Obama, grandmother of American President-elect Barack Obama, was on Monday at the centre of World Aids Day activities in Kisumu where she flagged off an awareness marathon.

As soon as residents got wind that Mama Sarah was at the Jomo Kenyatta Grounds, a huge crowd converged.

A jovial Mama Sarah, who arrived in a two-car convoy escorted by female security personnel, waved cheerfully at the crowds. Her security detail had a torrid time trying to stop the excited crowd from shaking her hand.

“Kogelo ber kata an be angima (Kogelo is fine and am also doing well),” she told the crowd.

She, however, sidestepped a question about her travel plans to the US for Mr Obama’s inauguration.

Earlier, the 86-year-old Mama Sarah, who slipped into Kisumu quietly on Sunday, had flagged off the World Aids Marathon at seven in the morning.

Organisers said that they had chosen Mama Sarah because of her high profile.

They also said the fact that President-elect Obama had undergone HIV counselling and testing in Kisumu on his 2006 trip was more reason to choose her.

“There is a lot of interest in the Obama family,” said Betty Okero of the Civil Society Network, one of the organisers.

“If her presence here today will help reduce new infections and give hope, we welcome that,” said Ms Okero.

Ms Alie Eleveld of Safe Water and Aids Project said Mr Obama’s involvement with the World Aids Marathon was the main reason for choosing Mama Sarah to flag it off.

“Barack Obama has been a great supporter of the World Aids Marathon, so we thought it would be a good gesture to invite his granny,” said Ms Eleveld.

Speaking to the Nation after the function, Mama Sarah said that she was happy to be part of the event.

“I feel greatly privileged to be invited because my grandson is very concerned about the ravages of HIV,” she said.

Pictures of President-elect Obama taken at the VCT clinic during his 2006 visit are extensively being used to drive the campaign against HIV and Aids.