Kenya Declares Nov. 6 Public Holiday To Celebrate Obama's Electoral Victory In U.S.

November 5, 2008 11:43 a.m. EST

Nairobi, Kenya (AHN) - Nairobi declared Thursday Nov. 6 a public holiday to celebrate the poll victory of Kenya's favorite grandson - U.S. president-elect Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL).

In his congratulatory note, Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, said, according to BBC, "We the Kenyan people are immensely proud of your Kenyan roots."

Obama's father hailed from Kogelo Village in western Kenya. Following Obama's triumph over rival Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), the whole nation celebrated. Obama's step grandmother, Mama Sarah Hussein Obama, was spotted by BBC dancing outside her house as soon as it was confirmed he won.

Prior to the official declaration of Obama's victory, Mama Sarah cautioned against early celebrations, but instead urged her countrymen to continuously pray for her grandson.

The rest of Africa was also in jubilation since Obama is the first African-American to become U.S. president.

South Africa's Nelson Mandela, in a letter, said, "Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare a dream of wanting to change the world for a better place."