News
Kenyans won’t miss Obama's big moment
Posted Saturday, January 17 2009 at 21:21
On January 20, millions of people around the world will unite in purpose to follow the inauguration of Barack Obama as he is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.
And though the steps of the Capitol are far from Kenya, this will not stop people following the culmination of the journey of the skinny boy with a funny name whose father was a Kenyan and who is set to become the world’s most powerful man.
Outdoor screen
Residents of Western Kenya will for days be entertained by the Daily Metro road show that will stage performances from comedians and musicians from the region. It will start at Kisii and end Tuesday at Kisumu’s Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground where an outdoor screen will be put up for a live broadcast of the swearing-in ceremony.
Still in Western Kenya, the ministry of Youth Affairs will hold several events in Kogelo, including a soccer match between youth teams.
In Nairobi, the ministry will hold an event on Tuesday which ministry officials say is intended to encourage Kenya’s youth to fulfil their true potential.
“As a ministry, we have decided to ride on the Obama effect and try to encourage our youth to take up more of the qualities that President-elect Obama showed on the road to the presidency,” said Mrs Olivia Ouko, a ministry official.
Youth
Mrs Ouko said that the event, which will be held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, is aimed at bringing together Kenyan youth of all backgrounds and encouraging them to be resilient in the face of the many challenges that confront them.
During the same ceremony, dubbed Kenya Change Generation Campaign, a group of young achievers from different professions will be awarded for their efforts.
At St Andrew’s PCEA church there will be what organisers have termed a Celebration of the Election of Barack Obama.
The African-American organisers of the event say members of the public are invited for an evening of celebration prayer and service at the church in recognition of Mr Obama’s election and his Kenyan roots.
On the same day, events organisers at a number of city spots are planning Obama-themed nights filled with Kenyan music and a live broadcast of Mr Obama’s swearing-in and inaugural speech in which he is expected to lay out his plans for the coming four years.
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