Grandmother Sarah gave 'power' stool to President Barack Obama

What you need to know:

  • When she went to the US for the inauguration of Mr Obama as president in January 2009, Mama Sarah carried a similar stool.
  • Among the meals served during the dinner, attended by about 30 family members, were aliya, osuga, dek, apoth, mitoo and ngege.
  • Addressing journalists at State House on Saturday, President Obama said the family reunion was fulfilling.

US President Barack Obama’s grandmother Monday said she gave him a traditional Luo stool on Friday.

Mama Sarah Obama said President Obama, “who is Luo in heart and soul” ate traditional foods at the Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel, Nairobi.

The three-legged stool symbolises leadership and power.

“The President sat on the stool in front of me and I was very happy.

"He is Luo and he knows what we love,” Mama Sarah told journalists at Kisumu International Airport Monday, after arriving from Nairobi.

When she went to the US for the inauguration of Mr Obama as president in January 2009, Mama Sarah carried a similar stool.

The 94-year-old laughed as she relived what was the biggest family meeting, which President Obama later described as wonderful.

“I was in the same hotel with him. It was a very happy moment when Auma (the President’s sister) brought him to my room,” said Mama Sarah.

“What did President Obama eat? He is Luo and he ate our foods. He took omena, chicken and our vegetables. He was happy to be here.”

Among the meals served during the dinner, attended by about 30 family members, were aliya, osuga, dek, apoth, mitoo and ngege.

Addressing journalists at State House on Saturday, President Obama said the family reunion was fulfilling.

“There are cousins, uncles and aunties that you did not even know existed, but you are always happy to meet them. T

here were lengthy explanations in some connections. But it was a wonderful time,” said the US leader.