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Protests erupted in Nairobi, Kenya today as thousands of Kenyans voiced their disapproval of the proposed Finance Bill, 2024.
Among those caught in the chaos was Auma Obama, sister of former US President Barack Obama.
Auma was being interviewed live on CNN by Larry Madowo when the situation escalated.
She had joined the protest earlier, expressing solidarity with the demonstrators.
"I am here because of what is happening," Auma said during the interview. "Young Kenyans are protesting for their rights. They are demonstrating with placards and banners," she explained, moments before police fired teargas into the crowd.
The unexpected use of teargas directly impacted Auma.
Coughing and struggling to see through the smoke, she was assisted by a group of protestors who helped her move away from the fumes. "I can't see anymore," she said amidst coughs.
BREAKING: Auma Obama is tear-gassed by Kenya police live on CNN as she joins peaceful protests against over-taxation pic.twitter.com/XLpsvLlDyz
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) June 25, 2024While many may recognize Auma for her famous brother, she is a prominent figure in her own right.
A sociologist, community activist, and writer based in Kenya, Auma dedicates herself to social causes.
She founded her own non-profit organization to help orphans and young Kenyans struggling with poverty.
Auma was born in 1960 in Nairobi, Kenya, the daughter of Barack Obama Sr. and his first wife, Kezia.
She studied at Germany's Heidelberg University and holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Bayreuth. She also studied at the German Film and Television Academy in Berlin.
In 1996, Auma married British man Ian Manners, and they have one daughter, Akinyi, born in 1997. Auma and Ian divorced in 2000. She moved to Kenya with her daughter in 2007 and has lived there since.
Before starting her own charity, the Sauti Kuu Foundation, Auma worked for the international charity organization CARE International.
She was the subject of a German documentary film, "The Education of Auma Obama." In 2017, Auma was honoured with the fourth International TÜV Rheinland Global Compact Award in Cologne. She is also the author of the book "And Then Life Happens," released in 2012.
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