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The slang words that relegated the ‘beast’ to the periphery

Storyline:National News, World

Blue and white striped plane, secret service agents and a car best known as the beast may have plunged many Kenyans into a teenage love scenario with U.S president Barrack Obama but that excitement has received a majestic maneuver from some colloquial terms.

In what seemed like a deliberate effort to blend with the Kenyan culture, Obama put his mastery of the Kiswahili language to test.

“Jambo?, Niaje?, Hawayunii?,” said the son of Barrack with a slant of American accent.

The magic words worked and Kenyans took to social media to register their support for him. There are a number of times when white house press officers goofed but this was a PR tool that worked. The three words loosely translated mean “How are you?.” Obama was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit that opened in Nairobi. It’s a Saturday when most offices are closed. Those who have access to a TV set or an internet connection were able to follow the proceedings. It was a morning that brought ‘mega’ individual to the podium.

Meet me or…

Obama’s visit to Kenya has led to eye contact, hugs and handshakes that went beyond the elbow. His grandmother, Sarah Obama and half sister Auma stole the show. In fact his sister, Auma has seen the interior of the fuel guzzler that has kept Nairobians guessing and the aid of president Uhuru mezmerised. Perhaps, in local parlance, Obama was ‘returning a hand’ (returning favour) to Auma after the latter picked Obama on her Volkswagen Beatle during his first visit to Kenya in 1987. TV producers should be gearing up for a one-on-one interview with the ‘star’ of the moment. President Kenyatta too was at hand to welcome Obama. Not everyone got the invite in advance.

On the 13th of July, the chairman of the Students Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU) wrote a letter to the U.S ambassador in Kenya requesting Barrack Obama to visit the University. In his letter, the SONU chairman Babu Owino said the students were sad and stressed by the fact that Obama was not scheduled to visit the institution. He said 18 students at the University of Nairobi threatened to commit suicide and that 31 female students threatened to urinate on a tree president Obama planted in 2006 when he was still a Senator.

Ten days after the story ran, Babu is singing a different tune. According to Citizen TV, Babu Owino, will on Saturday dine with U.S. President Barack Obama and President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi. The TV station posted Babu’s official invitation to the state banquet.

Unlike Babu Owino, Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto is not clamouring to have his name in the list of those who want to meet and greet Obama.

The Daily nation carried a story on the 23rd of July suggesting that US President Barack Obama will not meet Deputy President William Ruto separately. Quoting the US National Security Adviser Susan Rice, the paper reported WSR as he’s commonly known in Kenya will only meet President Obama at public events.

“He is a member of the government and so will be present at some of the events,” she added in regard to Mr Ruto.

Contrary to media reports that Ruto won’t be anywhere close to the ‘Beast’ Ruto indeed had a handshake with Obama as evidenced by pictures from State House, Nairobi, Saturday afternoon.

William Ruto is accused by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court of crimes against humanity that were allegedly committed in Kenya in 2007/2008. Ruto has vehemently denied being behind any of the atrocities. The Deputy President has been attending all court sessions as instructed by the judges.

The footprints that count

East Africa and in particular Kenya has made considerable economic strides in the last decade. The Kenyan education system is the envy of many in the region, the road network has greatly improved in some of the major cities and mobile phone network has made life a little easier for Kenyans. The value of the shilling to the American dollar and the high cost of living is a concern for many a Kenyan but terrorism is even a greater challenge. Hundreds of Kenyans have lost their lives to heinous terror attacks from Garissa, Mandera, and Nairobi to Mombasa. President Obama and his Kenyan counterpart are expected to discuss how to counter the threat of terrorism. Obama may promise more money towards the ‘war on terror’ but Kenya must also address several other issues ranging from corruption, unexplained disappearances of terror suspects to allegations of extra-judicial killings. In order to win the ‘war on terror’, the government needs the trust of all citizens. Be open with your own population after all we are all affected.

Reality check

It’s not about the number of ugali plates or the cups of tea you gulp in the presence of Obama but what you derive from the conversation. Obama too should not make the platform he has been granted a mat for long village catch-up escapades that hardly yield anything viable for the community. Each country has an interest to safeguard. Each meeting is crucial. Each idea is a plus. As Obama heads to Ethiopia on Sunday, what will he have left behind? The plane will depart, the beast will find its way back to the streets of Washington and secret service agents will have taken notes for the next assignment. The slang words will be same. Africa is not just the cradle of mankind but is the next economic frontier according to economists. The wind of change is blowing. Will you be the branch of a tree that can easily be swayed by the wind or the mahogany that will be used to build the blocks of this continent? Progress and development don’t just come with change of boots. You want the beast, be treated like Obama? Act and work as hard.

By Qasin.

Goobjoog News

Picture courtesy: AFP