Former United States President sharing kenyans roots, Barack Obama bowed to pressure from netizens demanding to know why he’d not send his condolences after the passing on of his Kenyan brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga whom they share ethnic group.
Kenyans had flooded on social media platforms since on Wednesday 15th, October, demanding Obama to be the first world’s figure to grief with Kenyans and also make arrangements to attend the states funeral service as well the state’s send off ceremony for the departed freedom fighter and pan-afticanist.
After long days of silence,today on Saturday 18th October, he shared his condolence message to Odinga’s family and Kenyans at large more than 72 hours after the former Prime Minister’a death in India.
In his message, Obama, who was in Kenya back in 2015 and met both former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, following the 2006 meeting when he flew to Kenya for cultural blessings by luo elders to vie for the top seat in the world’s most powerful country in 2007, and eventually become the 44th President in January, 2008.
He served as the 44th President of the United States, on Saturday 18th, he, celebrated Odinga as an advocate of democracy, recalling the struggle that he underwent to make Kenya a country for all.
“Raila Odinga was a true champion of democracy. A child of independence, he endured decades of struggle and sacrifice for the broader cause of freedom and self-governance in Kenya,” read part of Obama’s message.
According to Obama, whose father, Barack Hussein Obama Sr., hailed from Odinga’s Luo ethnic community, Raila was a selfless person
“Time and gain, I personally saw him put the interests of his country ahead of his own ambitions. Like few other leaders anywhere, he was willing to choose the path of peaceful reconciliation without compromising his core values,” Obama eulogized Raila Odinga.
Additionall, he noted that the late Odinga was a role model to many across the world.
Through his life, he said, “Raila Odinga set an example not just for Kenyans, but across Africa and around the world. I know he will be missed. Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family and to the people of Kenya.”
Obama also shared a photo he was taken with Raila Odinga, Michelle and Ida.
Kenyans had trolled Obama for remaining silent. “Barack Obama has not issued a message of condolences to the Odinga family. When Obama lost his grandmother, Sarah Onyango Obama, Raila Odinga stood by him to the end. What a shame!” said Cornelius Ronoh on X.
Thousands of Kenyans trooped to Obama’s social media accounts with mixed reactions after he published the message at 1:30 AM, October 18, EAT.
Many were happy that Obama had finally remembered to eulogize ‘his brother’ Raila Odinga, albeit three days after his death.
“We acknowledge and appreciate your condolences. However, we cannot overlook the delay in your response during our moment of grief. Brian M Peter, popularly known as The Lion of Mountain tweeted,
“If it weren’t for the outcry from Kenyans, Barack Obama would not have paid tribute,” another X user known as @DanChepta, posted
“I have been waiting for this, although it took you time to do so,” stated Gideon Kibet, a popular X user known as Kibet Bull.
At the same time, Book Ten argued that he single-handedly compelled Obama to send his condolence message following the death of Raila Odinga, who collapsed and died in India on Wednesday, October 15. “Kama sio mimi hungetweet hii (You would not have tweeted were it not for me),” said Book Ten.
George T. Diano told Obama that he had saved himself from a lethal missile that was about to be launched from Nairobi.
“You’ve saved yourself, Jadwong; otherwise, we were to launch a missile remotely to attack you because of petty disrespect.”
Another Kenyan, @BrianMPeter, said, “We acknowledge and appreciate your condolences. However, we cannot overlook the delay in your response during our moment of grief.”
On his part, Kishan Bhatt (@bhattkishan9) celebrated Kenyans on X, formerly Twitter, for getting Obama’s attention. “Dear #KOT, you were able to get the attention of Obama due to your persistence! We are capable of great things.”