K'ogelo residents wish list for US President Barack Obama

The huge expectation in K’Ogelo village is certain to turn into a major disappointment if US President Barack Obama decides not to visit his father’s ancestral home.

President Obama is expected in Nairobi in eight days for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit starting July 24.

Residents of the village in Siaya where Barack Obama Senior was born have a wish list of things they hope their "most prominent son" will bring in his scheduled visit to Kenya. He last visited the village in 2006 while he was Illinois Senator.

The US Embassy and the Kenyan Government have not indicated whether President Obama will visit K’ogelo during his three-day tour of the country of his father.

But K’Ogelo residents who spoke to the Nation Wednesday were hopeful that President Obama will address issues of water shortage, bad roads, and support the repair of Nyangoma market where his grandmother, Mama Sarah Obama, used to sell grains and milk.

Mrs Josephine Dondoh hopes that Mr Obama will help address the perennial water shortage in the farming village.

Mrs Dondoh said roads were tarmacked when Mr Obama visited the village in 2006.

“We are eagerly waiting for him (Mr Obama). It will depend on his programme but we will be happier if he sets his foot here,” she said.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

Mr Fredrick Odhiambo, a fish vendor, believes that another visit by Mr Obama could improve health care services in Siaya.

“Last time he was here, he visited Siaya District Hospital and more medical equipment were brought later,” said Mr Odhiambo.

A senior police officer who requested anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media, said they have not been briefed on any planned trip to Siaya by the US president.

“We would have been briefed of the visit or presence of any secret service to beef up security. Nothing is going around a possible Obama tour but all the same we are highly alert,” the security officer said.

Should Mr Obama visit, he has options of jetting in through Kisumu International Airport and use the Kisumu-Kisian road to his fathers’ rural home through Maseno or Ndori market.

AIRSTRIP

But huge sections of the roads are in deplorable state and the Kisumu-Kisian road is also undergoing construction.

The other option would be that he lands at the Siaya Airstrip and proceeds by road to K’ogelo.

There is nothing to show of a planned landing and no renovation work is taking place.

However, Siaya County Government has initiated beautification of Mama Sarah Obama’s homestead.

The county’s tourism chief officer Joseph Ogutu said they will spruce up K'ogelo whether the US President visits Siaya or not as it has become a major tourist site.

“We have set aside Sh10 million for the beautification. We are seeking more funds in order to tap into the tourism activities arising from the tour,” he said.

Hotels in Siaya are also gearing up for a boom.

“There will be a lot of activities here despite the uncertainties around the tour to Siaya. The presence of the US President in Kenya will see more people tour the county,” said Mr Robinson Anyal, the Western Kenya Hotel Managers Association chairman.