NAIROBI,
Kenya (AP) — A politician named Obama who is running for governor in Kenya can
boast of one big claim to fame on the campaign trail: blood relations with the
president of the United States.
Kenya (AP) — A politician named Obama who is running for governor in Kenya can
boast of one big claim to fame on the campaign trail: blood relations with the
president of the United States.
Malik
Obama — a half-brother of Barack Obama — is running for a governor’s position
in the country’s nationwide elections on Monday, though he said he’s not sure
what impact his relationship to the American president has on his campaign.
Obama — a half-brother of Barack Obama — is running for a governor’s position
in the country’s nationwide elections on Monday, though he said he’s not sure
what impact his relationship to the American president has on his campaign.
“I’m
going into it as Malik Obama,” he said in a phone interview with The
Associated Press from western Kenya. “I can’t run away from my name and
association with my brother, but I have the feeling that people somewhat want
to see who the brother of Obama is.”
going into it as Malik Obama,” he said in a phone interview with The
Associated Press from western Kenya. “I can’t run away from my name and
association with my brother, but I have the feeling that people somewhat want
to see who the brother of Obama is.”
The
president’s relative even invokes the message that Barack Obama leaned on
during his groundbreaking 2008 political campaign: Change. Malik Obama says his
platform is poverty eradication, infrastructure development and
industrialization.
president’s relative even invokes the message that Barack Obama leaned on
during his groundbreaking 2008 political campaign: Change. Malik Obama says his
platform is poverty eradication, infrastructure development and
industrialization.
“I
hope that you all out there will support me and vote for me for this important
position so that we can bring change to the county of Siaya,” Obama said
at a recent campaign stop.
hope that you all out there will support me and vote for me for this important
position so that we can bring change to the county of Siaya,” Obama said
at a recent campaign stop.
Kenyans
on Monday will cast ballots for a wide range of regional offices, but the most
crucial vote is for president. Monday is Kenya’s first nationwide election
since the 2007 vote devolved into massive tribal violence that killed more than
1,000 people and displaced 600,000 from their homes.
on Monday will cast ballots for a wide range of regional offices, but the most
crucial vote is for president. Monday is Kenya’s first nationwide election
since the 2007 vote devolved into massive tribal violence that killed more than
1,000 people and displaced 600,000 from their homes.
The 54-year-old
Malik Obama hopes to become the first governor of Kenya’s western county of
Siaya. He is running as an independent candidate. Kenya’s new 2010 constitution
created 47 new political divisions known as counties, to be headed by
governors.
Malik Obama hopes to become the first governor of Kenya’s western county of
Siaya. He is running as an independent candidate. Kenya’s new 2010 constitution
created 47 new political divisions known as counties, to be headed by
governors.
Obama is
competing against candidates who are from well-funded parties, and the
political newcomer may be in need of campaign cash. He asked an AP Television
News freelance cameraman to contribute to his campaign. No contribution was
given. Obama said he was asking for the individual to contribute, not for AP to
contribute.
competing against candidates who are from well-funded parties, and the
political newcomer may be in need of campaign cash. He asked an AP Television
News freelance cameraman to contribute to his campaign. No contribution was
given. Obama said he was asking for the individual to contribute, not for AP to
contribute.
This is
Malik Obama’s first run for office.
Malik Obama’s first run for office.
Barack
Obama’s father was from Kenya and the U.S. president has several relatives in
the country. Malik and Barack Obama have the same father but different mothers.
Obama’s father was from Kenya and the U.S. president has several relatives in
the country. Malik and Barack Obama have the same father but different mothers.
