By Tiffany Wilson, special from Palestra.net
Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of stories about life in Africa and the views of its citizens on Barack Obama.
NAIROBI, Kenya - Driving in Nairobi, the streets feel like football practice. Cars dart and dodge cyclists, walkers, buses and matatus (minibuses) with deftness even NFL running backs strive to attain.
Weaving throughout this scene of un-orchestrated chaos is Barack Obama's image. A bumper sticker "Kenyans for Obama," scoots along the street. A billboard, "Barack Obama – Man of the Year," hovers above a busy hilltop. The pro-Obama message pasted on the back of the most common form of public transportation: matatus, steers Obama's face between carts of chickens, past men carrying firewood.
No subway or trains ferry Nairobi's 4 million residents across town. For that, people rely on their own two feet, the occasional bus or the ubiquitous matatu. These vans decorated with images of African icons like DMX, Dr. Dre and Tupac now include Obama as one of their inspired own. Their images are bright, their graffiti graphic; it's not surprising to see Obama's head with a hundred dollar bill halo.
These free advertisements, are they a sign of exuberant affection for Obama? Or is it subtle inspiration for bedraggled matatu patrons? Or perhaps, they're a prayer that Obama (and America's) wealth will reflect on Kenya.
Whatever the motivation, Nairobi passengers only have a second to admire the artwork. Just as often as Obama flashes across the street, an unexpected brake slams, a no-blinker car turns, or a last second merge shifts the focus to self-preservation.
Michael Omolo Ombok runs a car hire service. He says he sees Obama's image everyday. During an average 10 minutes spent outside, Ombok says Obama's image will drive by.
Obama last visited Nairobi in August 2006. Flash forward to January 2009 and it feels like Obama's merchandise and message is more widespread than the country's own president. Although Obama did not know his Kenyan father well, clearly Kenya knows and loves its adoptive son.
Comments