17 cleared for Obama fete
Traditional dancers celebrate U.S. President-elect Senator Barack Obama's victory in Nyangoma Kogelo village in November last year. Representatives from the community will attend the inauguration of Mr Obama as the 44th US president. Photo/FILE
The US embassy has now cleared 17 people who were on the verge of missing out on the trip to attend the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.
On Thursday, the Kogelo community spokesperson, Mr Nicholas Rajula, told the Nation that the 17 had been issued with travel visas to attend the historic event.
There were fears that the group would miss the trip for failing to raise the money for air tickets. They managed to raise the funds through friends, well-wishers and the Prime Minister’s office, Mr Rajula said.
They will now join the rest of the representatives from the community, made up of Mr Obama’s immediate family members and Siaya district commissioner Boaz Cherutich, during the inauguration of Mr Obama as the 44th US president.
The ceremony will be held in Washington DC on January 20. The group is in Nairobi, waiting to fly out of the country on Saturday.
Separate plans
Among those who were on the verge of being left behind were seven members of Mr Obama’s extended family, including Moses Obama, Julius Obama, Wilson Obama and Abong’o Kalwande, and the principal of Senator Obama Secondary School, Mrs Uanita Obiero.
Mr Obama’s immediate family, including grandmother Sarah Obama, his uncle Said and wife Beatrice, and half-sister Dr Auma Obama, however has separate travel plans and may leave a day later.
