Yesterday I woke with the dawn (even a bit earlier) and travelled across Nairobi with collegue Bethany to attend the Ambassador's U.S. Presidential Election Party which started at 5am. This was to catch the election results live. Thousands joined in the celebrations at US Ambassador Michael Rannaberger's house. Red, white and blue colored the place as large screen TV's were in every corner bringing in the news as it happened. While waiting for the results non American's had the chance to vote in a mock election (over 400 voted for Obama and 17 for McCain). People were also able to ask political questions from experts. Meanwhile I munched on pasteries and fruit, sipped my hot morning drink and rubbed shoulders with a variety of people- most of which were pro Obama. 900 Kenyan school children were invited, as well as scores of Kenya's Ministers of Parliment and other national leaders. 
Here I am with Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. Of course there were also many like me, common Americans looking to savor this historical moment together while living in a far off land. As each state was called the excitment grew and then around 7am they called it and the screams, cheers and tears began. It was unlike anything I have been a part of. Politics never used to interest me but my time overseas has taught me many lessons of how important politics should be. For the first time in a very long time I felt a true and deep sense of pride as an American and I felt inspired and yes full of hope! Clearly I am among the majority, espeically here in Kenya. They say 98% of Kenya would vote for Obama if they could, so it is a great place to be a supporter and at the moment a great place to be an American. After the results came in we waited for the McCain speech which was done with a lot of grace and spoke volumes to Kenyans about how to lose an election and still keep the peace. Next the electrified crowd awaited the Obama speech. Needless to say the energy and emotion shared among the crowd was high and very inspirational. It was a great moment.
Later the Ambassador gave a speech as well as a few well known Kenyans. This is when we learned that President Kibaki had named the 5th of November a naitional holiday in honor of President Elect Obama. Only in Kenya can they name spontaneous days as Public Holidays! Finally, to top off a great celebration we had the chance to listen to 5 high school students who had won an essay contest writing letters to the US candidates. Each of them read their winning letters and continued to inspire us as they challenged their politicians, shared their dreams for their country of Kenya and spoke reverantly about Obama. These students blew me away with their articulate, wise beyond their years and bold messages of hope.
The rest of the day was great as people every where were congratulating me and even thanking me, as an American, for putting Obama in the White House. I got huge hugs at work and enjoyed hearing people's stories of how they celebrated when they heard the news.
That afternoon the rain started and it poured all night long. Here in Africa we say that the one that brings the rain is a blessing. I find it quite fitting as Barak means 'blessing' in Swahili. Truely we have been blessed.
Comments