Kenya News

Kenya is ecstatic at the news of Barack Obama's historic election as president of the United States. Upon hearing news of their beloved "son's" win Wednesday morning (East Africa Time), residents of Kogelo village burst into song and cheers of joy.

Kogelo, about 50 kilometres from Kisumu, the capital of Nyanza Province, is home to Barack Obama's Kenyan relatives, and is where his father, Barack Obama Sr. was born.

About 50 foreign journalists have been reporting from the village over the past week in hopes of capturing just such a moment. However, the Obama family has kept relatively quiet, choosing to make statements to the press through their elected family spokesperson for the week, Obama's half-brother, Malik Abango .

Following today's announcement, journalists were invited to a section of the Obama homestead to join some members of the family to view Obama's acceptance speech. The relatives, along with some neighbors, cheered, sang and gave the "thumbs-up" sign at Obama's words.

In a brief press conference following the speech, Abango told journalists the family wants to express "extreme gratitude and appreciation of the American people."

This "gratitude" is evident outside the homestead as well. American flags, stars-and-stripes-themed clothing and slogans praising America are highly visible today. One very small, sleepy restaurant in Siaya town, the nearest town to Kogelo, was playing CNN International to a small but rapturous audience, one of whom was wearing an American flag hat.

The Obama family's life in Kenya will be different from here out. Beyond being the center of international media attention, the family will have new responsibilities in their village.

"Things are going to change [for us]... We have projects... We have to provide for our people," Abango said. As for the rumors of a Kenyan-style Obama homecoming to Kogelo, Abango said: "I know right now that if you check his appointment book, I bet you he'll get here as soon as he can."

But what will will an Obama presidency really mean for Kenya, where Obama, who scarcely knew his Kogelo-born father, is held in such esteem?

Abango said that Kenyans can take away the values of "true democracy, and what humility is all about."

The Kenyan government has declared a national holiday this week in honor of Obama.

Electoral Commission chairman Samuel Kivuitu has given the clearest indication that he was about to resign.

Mr Kivuitu who spoke exclusively to the Nation on Wednesday said he would not preside over a referendum on a new Constitution -- likely to be held next year -- and the next General Election.

Mr Kivuitu who has been at the helm of the ECK after taking over just before the 1997 General Election, however, asked the country to accord him respect.

The ECK chief was responding to a question on whether he would heed to calls for him to lead his commissioners in resigning for presiding over a flawed election.

Kriegler report

He said: "I don't want to preside over any other election... even the referendum!" Prime minister Raila Odinga, and a number of his Cabinet colleagues, have asked Mr Kivuitu to resign.

The ECK chief spoke as the European Union joined in the calls for radical overhaul of the commission.

EU head Elisabeth Barbier said the Kriegler report was clear that the legitimacy and public confidence in the commissioners and staff had been gravely and irreversibly impaired.

"It further recommends radical reform of the ECK or creation of a new electoral management body. This is clear enough and this recommendation should be certainly heeded," she added.

Ms Barber, who is also the French ambassador to Kenya, said that the EU was in contact with the Government over recommendations by the Kriegler team, and was looking forward to their implementation.

"The EU representatives in Kenya have closely followed the work of the Independent Review of the 2007 Elections Commission led by Justice Kriegler.

"They have welcomed the commission's report. We believe it is now of utmost importance that the IREC recommendations are speedily and fully implemented."

Mr Kivuitu's pronouncement means he may leave as early as next year when the country is expected to hold a referendum on a new constitution, if the coalition fulfils its commitment.

Mr Odinga and Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Martha Karua have promised that the country will have a new constitution by next year.

Already two Bills on the constitution review have been tabled in Parliament. The ECK chief also asked Kenyans to treat him humanely.

"I will leave at an appropriate time, but I need to be given peace of mind and we need to respect each other," he told the Nation on telephone.

Mr Kivuitu was apparently referring to threats by a section of the Government that if he and his team did not resign, they would be forced out.

Mr Odinga, who first made the call while in Tanzania, repeated it during a political rally in Kakamega at the weekend.

Send signals

Mr Kivuitu spoke to the Nation just moments after US deputy ambassador Pamela Slutz paid him a courtesy call.

It is understood that several envoys are quietly sending signals to Mr Kivuitu to resign and pave the way for reforms at the ECK as by the Kriegler team.

American ambassador Michael Ranneberger last week told ECK commissioners to accept the team's verdict.

Mr Ranneberger noted that the US expects the grand coalition government to move quickly to implement the recommendations.

"I think we all know what that means, and it is for the commissioners to heed that advice and do the right thing.

"They should listen to the recommendations and it is obvious to everyone what they need to do," Mr Ranneberger told journalists in Nairobi.

Mr Kivuitu took over from Justice Zacchaeus Chesoni who has since died

International Governance Institute

- building integrity in acquiring and exercising public duty