Abstract
IN LATE 2004 NUMEROUS MEMBERS OF THE KENYAN POLITICAL ELITE gathered at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in the tony Nairobi suburb of Muthaiga to watch the U.S. election returns. Chief among them was Raila Odinga: scion of one of Kenya’s highly prominent political dynasties, political prisoner and exile under the Moi regime, Member of Parliament for Nairobi’s Langata Constituency, and easily the most recognizable Luo politician the world over. As the returns rolled in, Raila and his entourage stood rapt in front of the big screen televisions, anxious not simply to hear the results of the presidential race but also to learn the fate of the young senatorial candidate from Illinois – Barack Obama. In the dawning hours of November 2, Raila and his cohort literally wore their support for Obama on their sleeves. Kitted out in Obama buttons and U.S. flag ties, they cheered vociferously when Obama’s win was announced. The sort fascination with Obama that
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