Catching the Obama fever in Nairobi

The atmosphere at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi was charged with excitement. Although we had touched down nearly forty minutes earlier, we had been caught up in the vortex of the American President Barack Obama’s departure from Kenya and the airport was on security lockdown. All our trolleys and suitcases became a solid mass and the sea of heads in their hundreds at the arrival section of the airport waited in expectation.

As the American and Kenyan flags sashayed in the chilly afternoon breeze, one of the security men seeing my anxious looks explained excitedly, “See his plane over there. Until he goes, then you can move.” There was a lot more of pride going on in his voice than there was information and when I sought to know how long this would be, he shrugged. No one seemed sure but no one seemed upset among the Kenyans. The visitors on the other hand had to be understanding as every Kenyan you met at the airport seemed to have caught an excitement bug which was infectious.

Welcome to Nairobi on the day President Obama spent the early part of the day delivering a most powerful speech at the Kasarani Stadium. This was also the day he left Nairobi for Addis Ababa leaving all Kenyans awe-struck; black, white, coloured, all of them completely energized by Obama’s enigmatic presence.

Air Force 1 left the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as I stepped into a chilly Nairobi afternoon. I was visiting Nairobi again two years after my last visit which was twenty-four hours before the terrorist mall attack in 2013. I am glad that this visit was coinciding with a memorable and positive historical moment for all Kenyans and indeed Africans. Everywhere one went in Nairobi during my visit, the remarks were mostly about Obama.

“There were some inconveniences, of course; roads were closed, traffic was horrible but we did not mind, he brought a lot of goodwill and good luck for us. He encouraged us and inspired us. We are still recovering from his visit,” someone said.

Arriving on a day such as I did, President Obama’s visit affected all visitors to Kenya. Everyone wanted to hug you. There were smiles, back slaps and congratulatory words. Supermarket attendants wanted to know if I had come on Obama’s trade entourage and whether I had come to invest big in Kenya. I wish. Young Kenyans were still floating in the air exhilarated that Obama would dance “Lipala”, a dance associated with popular musicians Sauti Sol’s hit song “Sura Yako”. It was for all Kenyans a moment of communion but more so for the youth, kith and kin of the youthful soul band making waves in Nairobi. By his very moves, Obama had not only inspired Kenyan youth, he had become one of them.

“You know he sat on a bench like any one of us among ordinary Kenyans during one of his functions. You know it’s his father who is Kenyan. President Obama is very humble. We are very proud of him,” another said.

“Niaje wasee? Mko poa?” President Obama charmed Kenyans with his first words at his first official engagement – a Kiswahili slang for “How are you guys? You okay?” This was at the official opening of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Gigiri, Nairobi. According to the East African newspaper, Obama’s visit triggers one billion dollar seed capital. “The funding – to support innovators, women and youth entrepreneurs – was the highlight of the US president’s trip to Kenya that also saw several business deals clinched,” writes the paper.

Beyond the euphoria of President Obama’s visit to Kenya, in addition to words of hope and encouragement were hard words for African leaders on corruption, respect for the rule of law, democratic principles and issues of inequality. He had scathing words for the traditional sit-tight habit of some African leaders describing it as inconsistent with democratic ideals.

Huge billboards of a smiling Obama grab one’s attention from the airport all the way to the city centre in Nairobi. It is said that President Obama’s visit is felt Kenya-wise. In fact one newspaper headline captured it this way: “Obama’s visit felt on land, sea and air.” It could not have been better put.

The air is still electric from Obama’s visit. Many Kenyans have a spring in their step. I had many favourite parts to this visit but let me state only five.

a) President Obama will not find anywhere in the world where he would ever receive such a resounding welcome. The earth, spirits and the peoples of Kenya trooped out in their numbers to receive a worthy son. It will be unforgettable for both host country and the president.

b) That he was hosted to a private dinner by family members in Nairobi to include his grandmother Mama Sarah and his charming half-sister Dr Auma Obama was heartwarming.

c) That he gave his half-sister a ride in his official vehicle, The Beast, thrilled us all but more importantly to see the bond they share as sibling and the genuineness of the hug and smiles knocked us all over with joy. Aww! How nice!

d) That the Kenyan media were exceptional in their coverage; exciting, robust, from some of the most incredible and interesting angles. From what he ate to what he said and many other side stories that kept our attention.

e) Finally, marriage proposals are pouring out from all over Kenya for the first daughters and Kenyan men are outbidding themselves with as much as five hundred cows and more.

I am happy for Kenya. The Obama fever will take a while to ease but, trust me, it will be in the air for a long time to come.