Barack Obama's Kenyan family erupted in cheers today, singing "We are going to the White House!" as their relative became the first African-American to be elected US President.
In the western village of Kogelo, where the president-elect's late father was born, police had to tighten security to prevent hordes of media and others from entering the rural homestead of Obama's step-grandmother, Sarah.
But the elderly woman and several other relatives came outside today to cheer for Obama in a country where the Democrat is seen as a "son of the soil." They cheered, danced and sang in the Luo language before heading back inside the compound.
Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki declared a public holiday tomorrow in Honor of Obama's election victory.
Across Africa, where Obama is wildly popular, people stayed up all night or woke before dawn Wednesday to watch the US election results roll in. In the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, people chanted "Obama! Obama!" as the results were announced on television.
"He's in!" said Rachel Ndimu, 23, a business student who joined hundreds of others at the residence of the US ambassador for an election party that began at 5 am "I think this is awesome, and the whole world is backing him."
Many people hope an Obama presidency will help this vast continent, the poorest in the world. Some are looking for more US aid to Africa, others simply bask in the glory of a successful black politician with African roots.
