President Barack Obama's Kenyan half-brother has launched
his own political career by announcing his intention to run for a Kenyan county
gubernatorial seat in the upcoming March 4 elections.
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| Malik Obama |
Malik Obama, 54, who shares a father with the US president,
said in an interview late on Wednesday that the achievements of his brother
have "inspired and challenged" him to get into active politics in his
homeland.
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| Malik & Barack Obama |
"When I look at the success that my brother has had in
the US, I feel I would have let down my people if I do not follow in his
footsteps and end their suffering through dedicated, honest and focused
leadership," Malik said in his ancestral home of Kogelo in western Kenya.
The trained economist said he is the right candidate to deal
with the "endless cycle of poverty and unemployment that bedevils my
people". "I can confidently say that of all the people who are vying
for the position, I am the best placed candidate ... by virtue of my second name
alone, I have the connections to bring development to Siaya," he said,
referring to his home county 100 km from the lakeside city of Kisumu.
Although he says he is charting his own path, Malik Obama is
using his now famous second name to try and get an edge over his competitors,
who include the younger brother of Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
In a country polarized by dominant political parties, Malik
Obama is running as an independent.
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| Smart Guy...Malik. |
He said his links to Washington will help him clinch the seat.
"Why would my people settle for a local connection when they have a direct
line to the White House," he said as he weaved his way through a group of
supporters, the slogan "Obama here, Obama there" looming on posters.
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