That Barack Obama’s visit to Kenya is historic is a no brainer. What I am not sure is whether Kenyans realise we are such an undeserving part of his amazing story. Undeserving because our connection with Obama is one of rejection; of a Kenyan father who deserted him and a Kenya that generally ignored him as “just a junior Senator from America” until he became the most powerful man in the world.
Like Richard Ntiru’s famous poem “Introduction” we realised late that the bland looking Mugabo Mugenge was a great man. Even then I am not sure that many Kenyans realise just how transformational a leader Barack is. A prophet is rarely acknowledged in his lifetime and Obama is no exception.
If you were to listen to the average Republican, and quite a number of Democrats, Obama is the greatest scourge on great America; he has made it weak, pandered to special interests, including those that are not “American” and left partisan Washington irredeemably poisoned. An objective view of Obama’s Presidency, however, reveals him as one of the greatest leaders America has seen and will probably see in a long time. I will mention just a few of his triumphs.
First, the economy. It is easy to forget that the US economy was in free fall when Obama took office. The unemployment rate had hit record highs, the Dow Jones Index was at its lowest and hitherto “can’t fail” giants in the commercial and financial sectors were collapsing like dominos. Many had started writing epitaphs for the US economy.
Six years later not only is America’s economy on a strong rebound but Obama was able to get that on track while still accomplishing his objective of tougher regulation of the financial industry to forestall future meltdowns.
The unemployment rate is at one of its lowest points. Secondly, healthcare. Those who have followed the story of America’s dysfunctional health system know that many past Presidents have tried to introduce a credible healthcare system. Bill Clinton was the last President to try any major change and it almost cost him a second term.
Despite strong challenge including several Supreme Court cases, Obamacare has survived. It may not yet have achieved universal coverage for all the millions of uninsured Americans most of who happen to be black, Latino or just poor white, but it has started America on a route of universal health coverage that was unimaginable a short while ago. Even its critics grudgingly accept that Obamacare is now irreversible and can only get stronger.
On the diplomatic front, Obama has lived up to his promise of a gentler but purposeful America. After the war drums by the Bushes, it is gratifying to see America peacefully settle scores with some of its harshest foes without a single bomb. It would be naivety to imagine that the Iran-America conflict is finally settled, but Obama’s diplomatic coalition got Iran to put off its nuclear ambitions without a costly war. Today as we speak the Cuban flag flies at the State department. And Obama is no weasel; we must not forget that Obama finally killed Osama Bin Laden, he who had brought terror to Nairobi streets.
That is not to say the world is safer than it was pre-Obama; who would have imagined that ISIS would be the force it is today? But I believe Obama’s style has better possibilities of dealing even with the ISIS terror than Donald Trump’s and fellow Republicans “just bomb them” philosophy.
Finally Obama, Michelle and their children have brought dignity to the White House. Although I loved Bill Clinton, this fun-loving trumpeter from Arkansas left the White House with a stain (no pun intended) that Obama’s dignity helped cleanse. Obama and Michelle are not perfect but they have been humble, honourable and inspirational, in a manner consistent with that high office.
Who will forget Obama’s weighty rendition of Amazing Grace after the Charleston massacre? Who else would have called America to reflect on race without the hate and anger that accompanies that conversation?
So yes, let us celebrate Obama because he is one of us, but more importantly, that he has made us all proud by being a great President.
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