Barack Obama on a roll. What do his relatives think? Back in Kenya, CNN’s Paula Newton pays a visit.
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PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: To get to the Obama family farm we traveled across the equator, through some of Kenya’s most remote villages, left at the Growl (ph) road that turns to the Senator Obama school, up the dusty hill, and over potholes like you’ve never seen, not even in New Hampshire. And right on to the Obama homestead.
Hello. Hello. I’m Paula Newton with CNN. This is Mama Sarah, Barack Obama’s granny, as he calls her. This is where his father was born and grew up, and where 83-year-old Mama Sarah still lives. We interrupted your work today.
As her grandson is busy bringing in the votes, she’s bringing in the crops. Preparing feed for the livestock. But it doesn’t keep her from campaigning. What would you tell the American people about Barack to convince them to vote for him? In her native language, she says, he’s a good listener, and if he’s given a chance, he will work hard for America.
What do you think of Hillary Clinton? This is a contest, she says, diplomatically, but the best man or woman win. When was this picture taken?
SAID OBAMA, BARACK OBAMA’S UNCLE: This was taken in 1987.
NEWTON: Barack’s uncle, he shows us a photo of his nephew’s first visit to his Kenyan ancestral home just after his father died. Barack Hussein Obama is buried here. Mama Sarah says he would be heartbroken to see Kenya now. The Obamas say they don’t recognize the Kenya of the past few days. The bloodshed, despair and desperate need triggered by the disputed election. The Obama school hasn’t even been able to open this year because of the clashes.
OBAMA: Expected Kenya to be a beacon of open hope in this region, but again, politicians are politicians.
NEWTON: Though, he insists Barack Obama is different, humble like no other, he says, and that’s because of his Kenyan ancestry right down to this farm. Paula Newton CNN, Nyangoma-Kogelo, Kenya.