Proposed Barack Obama Monument Raises Controversy

Multi-million shillings cultural centre at the Kogelo home of the Barack Obama’s father seen as Kenyan Government bribe for the American President to release pressure for democratic reforms in Kenya.

Kenyans view with suspicion Kenya Government plans to built a cultural centre in honor of the American president Barack Obama.

The cultural centre to be built at the home of the President’s father in Kogelo Village near Lake Victoria will cost the Kenyan taxpayer Shs112 million (US$1.6 million).

According to the Kenyan government the centre is meant to attract tourists from across the world interested in visiting the ancestral home of the man who surmounted racial barriers to become the president of the world’s most powerful nation.

Proposed items to be housed at the centre include pictures of Barack Obama’s late father and relatives as well as books and writings of the American President.

Why Kenyans Are Skeptical

But Kenyas are skeptical for a variety of reasons the least of which is that efforts to interest tourists to Kogelo have so far astoundingly failed. When Barack Obama became president,enthusiastic tour operators started tours to Kogelo. But the initial interest twiddled off when tourists who visited Kogelo expressed disappointment with the high cost and lack of attractions in the area.

“You drive all the way to see just a village and vilagers,” one American tourist who had visited the area was quoted as saying.

Kenyans don’t believe that the situation would be improved by a collection of a couple of pictures,several books and parading of meagerly dressed traditional dancers.

“If there is anything of interest about Obama, it must be already available in America. Why should an American come to Kogelo to read or see what is easily available at home?” Morris Ouma, a resident of nearby Kisumu City asks.

The second reason for skepticism regards the motive for the monument.Although the American government has been a major critic and supporter of Kenyans seeking change in the country’s administration for years, only Barack Obama’s administration has been clear in its insistence on results being achieved.

And when the Kenya government has seemed to be slow, the American government has been quick to take punitive action.Only a few weeks ago,the US barred Kenya’s long serving,anti-reformist attorney general Mr. Amos Wako,his wife and his children from entering America for whatever reason.

The move,as was expected displeased the Kenya Government — and President Mwai Kibaki in particular who had already written a letter of complaint to Mr. Obama over what he said was interference with his government.And much to the pleasure and amusement of Kenyans as indicated by response in newspapers and the internet,Mr. Obama ignored the letter and the US continued its strident campaign for change in Kenya.

Softening Obama’s Campaign for Reform in Kenya

With this in mind,Kenyans believe that the cultural centre is calculated to “please and soften the heart of Mr. Obama” so that he ignores what’s happening in Kenya.

The Kenya Government,in an apparent rejoinder to the critics is now saying the centre will cost much less – Shs40 million (about $571,000) and not the high cost of Shs112 millions that has been circulated.

The Ministry of Natural Heritage and Culture further said the decision to build the Obama cultural centre was in fact in line with the Kenya National Policy on Culture and Heritage and had been approved by the cabinet.

“The government is committed to partner with the private sector to create an enabling environment for the development of the cultural industry in line with Vision 2030,” the Permanent Secretary in the ministry Prof. Jacob ole Miaron said.

Vision 2030 outlines how the Kenya Government will industrialize the country by the year 2030.

Prof. Miaron said similar cultural centre’s well planned for the whole country,statements that stakeholders in the industry see as bluff.

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