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In a statement from Presidential Press Service, President Kibaki congratulated Obama saying Kenya has always been 'proud of him'./FILE

Kenya

Kenyan leaders applaud Obama win

In a statement from Presidential Press Service, President Kibaki congratulated Obama saying Kenya has always been ‘proud of him’./FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 7 – President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga have congratulated Barack Obama for his re-election as US president.

In a statement from Presidential Press Service, President Kibaki congratulated Obama saying Kenya has always been ‘proud of him’.

“On behalf of the government and people of Kenya and on my own behalf, I convey our congratulations to you for your well deserved victory. I commend the American people for showing their confidence in your leadership. Kenya, as always is proud of our association with you,” he said.

President Kibaki said the re-election was a re-affirmation of the confidence the American people have in President Obama’s leadership skills.

He re-affirmed that both countries should deepen bilateral relations.

“We look forward to the deepening of relations between our two countries during your second term in office,” President Kibaki said in his message.

On his part, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Obama’s latest American achievement will ”inspire us to chart our own inclusive future.”

Odinga said: “Obama’s re-election is resonant in the continent because in far too many of our countries, ethnic divisions stand in the way of building prosperous, inclusive societies in which human security and opportunity exist for all.”

He said the latest example of the power of true democracy will inspire minorities throughout the world to struggle harder for equality within their nations, in particular people of colour who live in traditionally white societies in the northern hemisphere.

Odinga said the re-election of Obama had electrified the world.

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“It is a tribute to the people of the United States that they have re-elected an African-American President amidst an intensely trying economic environment that would have tested any incumbent. It is therefore also an outstanding personal triumph for President Obama,” said Odinga.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka also said Obama’s re-election was a big win for a free world.

“It is our hope that he uses his second term to work for peace and to bear positive influence across the globe,” he said.

Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi also congratulated Obama saying he fought hard and won against all predictions of odds against him

“My congratulations go to President Obama for his re-election and to the people of America for exercising their democratic right to choose in what was a closely contested race. I wish you all the best in your second term. God Speed,” said Kenyatta in a message posted on his Facebook page.

Mudavadi said Obama’s resilience is a lesson in how to turn adversity into opportunity.

“He has made history as one of a few sitting presidents to be re-elected in America against a background of a poorly performing economy,” he said.

He also congratulated Mitt Romney for competing maturely and conceding loss in the most polite manner.

He urged Kenyans to emulate the example that had been witnessed during the peaceful campaign and electioneering period.

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“As Kenya gears up for elections, I appeal to all aspirants and Kenyans to emulate this mature conduct of politics in the American example. Elections and victory should be a celebration of the spirit of renewal rather than a contest for alienation of segments of society,” he said.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wife Ida led other leaders in sending their congratulatory messages through social media.

“I take this special time to congratulate Barack Obama for winning a second term in office as president of the United States of America.” she tweeted.

“Congratulations President Obama on your re-election as President of the United States of America,” Water and Irrigation Minister and Narc presidential aspirant Charity Ngilu also tweeted.

In his congratulatory message on the US President’s twitter handle, Mvita MP Najib Balala simply said, ‘Congratulations Mr. President.’

Obama swept to re-election on Wednesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney.

The 44th US president, and the first African-American to claim the Oval Office, was returned to power after a bitter election campaign when television networks projected he would take Ohio and his spiritual political home of Iowa.

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