The Kenyan family of United States President Barack Obama in Nyangoma Kogelo village, Siaya County, has disowned their kin Malik Obama for his stand in American politics.
Family spokesperson Nicholas Rajulu on Thursday said the rhetoric and decision by the older Obama, half-brother of the US leader, to support Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was against the will of the family.
President Obama is a Democrat.
They have vowed to campaign against his bid for election as Siaya governor in next year’s polls, saying his actions were regrettable.
“We are disappointed by Malik,” said Mr Rajulu in K’Ogello. “We don’t recognise him as a member of our family.”
Mr Malik Obama travelled to the US to attend the final presidential debate for the November 8 election between Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Mr Trump at the invitation of the latter.
He has been on record castigating the leadership of President Obama, accusing him of abandoning the family after he assumed office eight years ago and failing to live to his campaign pledge of improving the lives of Americans.
Mr Rajulu told the Nation the family and residents of Kogelo had been forced to rethink their decision to support Mr Obama in the 2017 General Election.
‘OPPOSED DEVELOPMENT’
“He has opposed development brought by Barack in the region,” said Mr Rajulu. “How sure are we that he will listen to us if he becomes governor? Even if he is contesting for MCA, we will not vote for him until he changes his attitude.”
He said President Obama is a member of the family and the comments by his brother on the person of the US leader were aimed at gaining him cheap publicity.
Mr Malik had termed President Obama as an incompetent leader who has not achieved much. He also blamed him for the killing of Libya’s leader Muammar Gaddafi, leading to the suffering of the Libyan people.
Local Member of the County Assembly Owiti Osuri accused Mr Malik Obama of constantly trying to find fault with the US leader for the past 10 years.
“We will not support Malik in 2017 despite him being one of us,” said Mr Osuri. “He is a disgrace to us; we will ensure he fails miserably.”
Mr Osuri said the community has immensely benefited from the support the US President has accorded the region since he entered the White House.
-nation.co.ke
