"African Blood" Saved Obama From Scrutiny in Ghana

Ombuya E. Okong'o   argues that Obama, in his policies towards Africa, is no different than his predecessors. He says because of Obama's ancestry, Africans have failed to ask tougher questions, and have a very narrow definition of their expectations of him. In his criticism of the continent, Obama is as patronizing as they come.

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Presenting Kenya to the world with Obama

In these days leading up to Barack Obama's inauguration, Kenyans have left the euphoria of November to reflect on the possibilities the Obama moment has brought for change in their particular lives. Concerned Kenyan Writers, an online collective of writers and scholars who came together during the 2007 post-election violence, have engaged in lively debates in the last week over the entertainment scheduled for the inauguration dinner at the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, DC. A particular poet and a particular boys' choir are the subject: are they the kind of representation we would like for Americans and the world to see?

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What Obama can do for Kenya

This week marks the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America. But despite the massive hope that Obama's presidency bring for Kenya, there is a growing scepticism about his ability or even willingness to assist his father's country of birth.

First, the US has enough problems on its own for Obama to focus on Kenya. In spite of his Kenyan roots, not only is Obama an American, as opposed to being Kenyan, he is the president of the United States. In addition to acting in the domestic interests of his people, other issues of priority would lie in the threats and opportunities provided by the Middle East and the economic crisis obliges the new president to confront the challenges that come with emerging powers such as China and India. When not engrossed on these issues, environmental concerns, democracy and the rule of law are likely to take up the president's time and attention.  

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