President Barack Obama welcomed with hugs by sister Auma as he lands in Kenya
US President Barack Obama hugs his half-sister Dr Auma Obama at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on July 24, 2015. Dr Auma then rode with him in the president's official limousine. PHOTO | JOAN PERERUAN | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- As the security agents kept their watch, the two conversed jovially then they boarded the "Beast".
- Auma could be seen through the window adjusting the seat belts on her own as she conversed at ease.
- During an interview with CNN, Auma said, "I'm proud of our name because my brother really has carried our name up there. It's made our mark in the world."
- She runs an NGO called Sauti Kuu Foundation.
Dr Auma Obama is probably one of the most talked-about woman in the world right now.
This follows the euphoric hug she shared with US President Barack Obama when he arrived in Kenya on Friday.
President Obama’s half-sister then took a ride in the "Beast", which is one of the most highly protected armoured vehicles used by the president of the world’s most powerful nation.
When Air Force One carrying President Obama touched down, a number of dignitaries, among them Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, waited patiently for him to disembark.
Among those lined up to receive President Obama and shake his hand was Dr Auma, clad in black trousers and a white blazer
She was at the end of the queue and as President Obama shook his host’s hands, she patiently waited and kept smiling and putting her hands in her trousers’ pockets.
President Obama embraces his half-sister at Dr Auma Obama at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on July 24, 2015. On the right is President Uhuru Kenyatta. PHOTO | JOAN PERERUAN | NATION MEDIA GROUP
LONGEST HUG OF THE NIGHT
Then came the moment. Everyone was treated to the longest hug of the night, followed by an eye to eye conversation between the two siblings as if nothing else mattered.
As the security agents kept their watch, the two conversed jovially then they boarded the "Beast".
Dr Auma could be seen through the window adjusting the seat belts on her own as she conversed at ease.
That episode carried the day and was used by local and international media to narrate the welcome that President Obama received in Kenya.
Before the heart-warming hug, Dr Auma had tweeted; “My brother’s coming home and we are over the moon. Welcome little brother!”
This was not the first time, though, that Dr Auma had taken the envied attention of President Obama, as the two have been in a close relationship since they were young.
In his book Dreams from My Father, Mr Obama recounts how his half-sister picked him up from the same airport in a "battered Volkswagen Beetle" that kept breaking down every now and then.
He also says that despite the numerous trips to the mechanic, he enjoyed the trip.
US President Barack Obama chats with half-sister Auma Obama (2nd right) during a family dinner at his hotel in Nairobi on July 24, 2015. On his right is his step-grandmother, Mama Sarah Obama. AFP PHOTO | SAUL LOEB
OBAMA RETURNS FAVOUR
On Friday, it was Mr Obama’s turn to return the favour. He rode with Dr Auma in his official limousine, the Beast, from the airport.
Early Saturday morning, Dr Auma, who had been very protective of her brother, wrote; "Precious time family meal before GES. B’s allegiance to American people (and rightly so) but he found time 2 (honour) Kenyan heritage."
It will also to be remembered that Dr Auma was a bridesmaid during Mr Obama’s wedding.
During an interview with CNN, Dr Auma said, "I'm proud of our name because my brother really has carried our name up there. It's made our mark in the world."
Dr Auma studied sociology and German studies in Heidelberg before attending the German Film and Television Academy (DFFB) in Berlin and finally graduating in Bayreuth.
She lived in Germany for 16 years and later in the UK before eventually returning to Kenya.
She runs an NGO called Sauti Kuu Foundation.
