Just a few hours before US President Barrack Obama lands in the country, his childhood friends from Kariokor and Ziwani estate in Nairobi relive the moments they shared with him when he came visiting in the 80s.
Peter Sossi one of the young boys who hang out with Obama describes Obama as a very outgoing persons who blended very well with everyone.
“Obama was a very friendly guy who easily blended with everyone. He felt comfortable with all manner of people… the chang’aa drinkers, smokers, they never bothered. I remember at some point we even smoked with him,” said Sossi.
Despite being a ‘Chotara’ (sheng for coloured person) Obama never isolated himself from the rest of the group. According to Sossi Obama really enjoyed his stay in Kariokor.
During his stay at Kariokor, Obama accompanied by his step brothers would join Sossi and some three other friends Waganjo and Escobi to watch the Koth Biro Football tournament as well as watch boxing games at the Kariokor Social Hall.
“You know Obama stayed here for more than a month, so he had a lot of time in his hands. I think that is the time he had finished High School and was planning to join college,” he said.
Despite stayin at the Kariokor flats, Obama is reported to have loved the Ziwani lifestyle, this is probably because his father was born in Ziwani but later on moved his family at the flats that were considered a bit high class then.
Sossi who is in his fifties right now says given a chance he would remind Obama of their drinking spree memories.
CLARET ADHIAMBO