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Kenyan lawyer offers 150 farm animals to wed Malia Obama

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Press Trust of India Washington
A Kenyan lawyer is keen to marry US President Barack Obama's eldest daughter Malia and has offered cows, goats, sheep worth some USD 90,000 as dowry to wed her.

"People might say I am after the family's money, which is not the case. My love is real," Felix Kiprono, a lawyer said.

The 24-year-old says he has long dreamed to marry Malia.

Kiprono, who is pursuing a master's degree in law at Oxford University in the UK, says his mission is to ensure "Kenyan blood returns home", in reference to President Obama, whose father, Barack Obama Sr, was Kenyan.

He says he has been faithful to his beloved since he first became aware of Malia, 16.
 

"I got interested in her in 2008," he told The Nairobian newspaper.

"As a matter of fact, I haven't dated anyone since and promise to be faithful to her. I have shared this with my family and they are willing to help me raise the bride price," Kiprono said.

Kiprono hopes to make the offer in person when Obama visits Kenya in July.

"I am currently drafting a letter to Obama asking him to please have Malia accompany him for this trip, he said.

He is currently working on a letter to announce his intentions and plans to give it to the US Embassy in Nairobi.

His proposal to the United States first family, he claimed, was in line with his Kenyogoro clan of the Kipsigis sub-tribe of Kenya's Kalenjin community.

"I have the full backing of Kenyogoro community in my journey to wed Malia after (she attains) the right age," he said.

According to prices on Africa Farming, Kiprono's offer of 70 cows, 50 goats and 30 sheep could be worth in excess of USD 90,000.

"Ours will be a simple life. I will teach Malia how to milk a cow, cook ugali (a starchy dish) and prepare mursik (a sour milk) like any other Kalenjin woman," he said.

Kiprono said "as an indication that she is my queen, I will tie sinendet, which is a sacred plant, around her head."

"I will propose to her on a popular hill in Bureti near my father's land where leaders and warriors are usually crowned," Kiprono said. "The place is called Kapkatet, which means 'victory.'"

He said he would like the Kalenjin customary law to be recognised internationally.

Under the Kalenjin customary law, men are allowed to book young girls and wait for them to mature and complete their studies before marrying them.

Obama and Michelle have two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

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First Published: May 31 2015 | 1:22 PM IST

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