The Obama era's not that great for Kenya

Posted By Joshua Keating Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 2:54 PM Share

The Boston Globe reported this week that the judge in the immigration case of Zeituni Onyango -- best known as President Barack Obama's "Auntie Zeituni" -- had granted her asylum even though she was in the United States illegally because the publicity around the case had "exposed her to heightened threats of persecution in her native Kenya." The Kenyan government, needless to say, isn't happy about the insinuation:

Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Mutula Kilonzo described the claims as “ridiculous and an insult to Kenyans”.

Zeituni convinced a US judge three months ago that she feared “persecution by some members of the Kenyan government” and was allowed to stay in the US although she had been classified as an illegal immigrant after her visa expired.

Said Mr Kilonzo: “The insinuation about Kenya’s inability to protect Ms Obama is outrageous, misplaced and an insult to the Kenyan state.

“President Obama’s grandmother is here and she is treated like a royalty. It is unfortunate because Kenya enjoys cordial relations with the United States.”

It has to be said that despite the initial excitement, Obama's presidency hasn't been all that great for Kenya's image so far. He has yet to visit the country as president. Instead they had to settle for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who took the opporutnity to publicly lambast the government's corruption. Kenyan leaders have also been smeared by the anti-Obama conspiracy theorists who, at least going by today's news, seem to be gaining ground. 

Now, in a highly-publicized court ruling, a U.S. judge has implied that the president's family members aren't safe in their home country. Perhaps having your country's favorite son in the White House isn't all it's cracked up to be.  

Hat tip: Ben Smith

EXPLORE:AFRICA, OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
 

NY786

4:02 PM ET

August 19, 2010

Yes, well...

>>It has to be said that despite the initial excitement, Obama's presidency hasn't been all that great for Kenya's image so far. <<

This is true. But Obama remains very popular among Kenyans and his sharp criticism of Kenya's leaders (especially a year ago--when there was widespread doubt that the government was committed constitutional reform and appeared to tolerate corruption at very high levels) resonated with most Kenyans.

I also think it noteworthy that Kenya has just gone through a hugely successful constitutional referendum and that the American government (both the Bush and Obama Administrations) played a key role in pushing the major players to act instead of kicking the can down the road. It was a victory for Kenyans, but the American Embassy can pat itself on the back for its helpful advocacy.

Obama may not have visited the country yet, but people believe he will soon--probably within the next year. The conspiracy theory that Obama was actually born in Kenya surely rankles the Kenyan embassy and those who are trying to promote tourism to Kenya, but it's really neither here nor there for your average "mwananchi".

 

SIYAHI

5:02 AM ET

August 20, 2010

haber

? also think it noteworthy that Kenya has just gone through a hugely successful constitutional referendum and that the American government (both the Bush and Obama Administrations) played a key role in pushing the major players to act instead of kicking the can down the road. www.cilekerotik.com

 

BUGOUMAI

6:29 AM ET

August 20, 2010

seem to be gaining ground.

seem to be gaining ground.

 

MATTT1986

10:14 AM ET

August 20, 2010

Heh

News flash, the Obama era isn't that great for America either. We feel your pain, Kenya.

 

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