Former US President Barack Obama was in his father's village in Kogelo, Siaya County on Monday where he officiated the launch of Sauti Kuu, an NGO run by his sister Dr Auma Obama.
There was a bee-hive of activity in the once little-known village when the former Illinois Senator visited as business people retailed jewellery and other artworks in celebration of 'their son's' visit. But after the celebrations, the unusual happened. Obama's convoy did not leave the Sauti Kuu launch grounds using the main gate. The motorcade left using a peripheral gate at the far end of the field to the surprise of many. But it emerged later on Monday night that the organisers of the event and security teams deployed at the venue opted for the decision to avoid a huge crowd that had gathered outside the main gate. The crowd is said to have demanded that Obama addresses them before he leaves. A detailed report of the visit aired by KTN News on Monday night showed a huge crowd being dispersed by the General Service Unit officers outside the launch ground's main entrance before a convoy of mainly NGO vehicles drove by. At the other end of the fence, as the GSU battled the crowd, Obama's convoy slowly moved out of the venue leaving residents confused as the majority did not even get to know the time Obama left.