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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Kenya Feels Betrayed by 'Brother Barack'

US practices diplomatic tough love

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(Newser) – Kenyans adore Barack Obama, affectionately calling him “Brother Barack,” but they’re starting to get the feeling he doesn’t love them back. The Obama administration has been far harder on Kenya diplomatically than its predecessor, Time reports. Last week Washington threatened to keep 15 senior officials from entering the US and even warned that it would scrutinize Nairobi's IMF requests—treatment normally reserved for the likes of Sudan and Zimbabwe.

If Obama does love his father's native land, it seems to be as a scolding parent; the US is annoyed that Kenya’s coalition government hasn’t done anything to clean up its act after corruption led to widespread election violence last year. “I sometimes think Obama’s roots in Kenya can actually be a problem,” says PM Raila Odinga. “Kenya is always being held to different standards."

Kenyans gather in Kisumu, Kenya, Tuesday Jan. 20, 2009, to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.
Kenyans gather in Kisumu, Kenya, Tuesday Jan. 20, 2009, to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.   (AP Photo/Riccardo Gangale)
Kenyans react as Barack Obama appears on a large screen, as thousands of people gather to watch the U.S. Presidential inauguration ceremony.
Kenyans react as Barack Obama appears on a large screen, as thousands of people gather to watch the U.S. Presidential inauguration ceremony.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
The front pages of Kenya national newspapers in Nairobi Kenya. Wednesday Jan. 21, 2009 covering the inauguration of President Barack Obama as America's 44th President.
The front pages of Kenya national newspapers in Nairobi Kenya. Wednesday Jan. 21, 2009 covering the inauguration of President Barack Obama as America's 44th President.   (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
Kenyans watch President Barack Obama Inauguration ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, Jan.20, 2009.
Kenyans watch President Barack Obama Inauguration ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, Jan.20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
Raila Amollo Odinga, Prime Minister Kenya, addresses the 64th session of the General Assembly at United Nations headquarters Friday, Sept. 25, 2009.
Raila Amollo Odinga, Prime Minister Kenya, addresses the 64th session of the General Assembly at United Nations headquarters Friday, Sept. 25, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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39 comments
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myvoice
Oct 2, 09 3:00 PM CDT
When are people going to realize that he is an American first and foremost? Reply
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+18
IN RESPONSE:
dontlikeyou
Oct 2, 09 4:15 PM CDT
Obama's motherland.
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-5
IN RESPONSE:
Snarfeh
Oct 2, 09 7:26 PM CDT
@stop - Obviously, as per the article, he already has....when are you going to realize you are an American first and foremost and quit fighting progress?
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
prowlerzee
Oct 3, 09 1:09 AM CDT
Newsflash, Odinga. Maybe other countries who insist on sharia law share your....values...but the entire *civilized* world rejects putting the likes of LOSERS like you in power by means of slaughtering the people who voted in the other guy. If your country were held to *any* kind of standard, you'd be in jail for inciting riots, not given a title to stop the violence.
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0
IN RESPONSE:
RockyPneumonia
Oct 3, 09 5:52 AM CDT
Obama has never doubted that he's American first and foremost and, of course, if you had anything hat a sane, intelligent person would consider to be evidence to the contrary, you would have posted it by now.
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