Mama Sarah: US President Barack Obama promised to return

Mama Sarah Obama being assisted by Captain Brian Odhiambo as she disembarks from a plane at Kisumu International Airport, after her meeting with US President Barack Obama. [PHOTO: COLLINS ODUOR/STANDARD]

President Barack Obama’s grandmother Mama Sarah Obama, has no regrets about her grandson’s failure to tour Kogelo during his recent visit to Kenya.

Speaking when she returned home from Nairobi, Mama Sarah said even though she had high hopes that President Obama would visit his father’s home in Siaya County, she came to a quick understanding of what it takes to be the president of the most powerful nation on earth.

The warm greetings Obama sent her to deliver to the people of Kogelo, and the promise that he would be back in the country with his entire family, was a great consolation.

According to Mama Sarah, her grandson would have wished to go home during his visit but his tight schedule did not allow it.

“I did not wait for him (Obama) to tell me how busy he was. All Kenyans saw how everything was fixed and there was no time for my grandson to extend visits outside Nairobi,” said Sarah.

 ANTICIPATED VISIT

Kenyans were kept guessing what the US president’s schedule would be when he jetted into the country, with preparations going on in Siaya to receive the ‘son of the soil’.

These hopes were however, dashed when US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec announced that Obama would not visit Kogelo.

Sarah said the time spent during the Friday night dinner, where Obama hosted his extended family, was enough for the family to share pleasantries.

“All the members of the extended family were represented during the dinner. We had people from Karachuonyo and Kogelo, and it was a wonderful time. I remain happy and optimistic that he promised to be back and have quality time with us,” she added.

She also said Obama was in close contact with the family during his time in the country, a picture which was visible in his closeness with his sister Auma Obama.

“I even lived in the same hotel with him and I know he will be back. Every time we spoke, he would praise Kenya and Kenyan people. This will make him come back soon,” said Sarah.

Mama Sarah was yesterday received by her kin at the Kisumu International Airport, a day after Obama left the country for Addis Ababa.

Captain Brian Odhiambo, who flew Mama Sarah on a Kenya Airways flight, described the occasion as a memorable one. Captain Odhiambo even walked her down the stairs as she came off the aircraft, into the VIP lounge.