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It seems there's more to this by looking at Kenyan history in late-1963 to early-1964.

I think this small area of what is now part of "Coast Province" in emerging Kenya where Obama may have been born -- known as the "10-mile coastal strip" -- was calling itself a REPUBLIC before the rest of the country. As the remains of the British Protectorate were being carved up, this area wanted to ensure they would NOT be parceled to Zanzibar. Land disputes still exist there today over this.

THIS from Kenya: Revisiting Ten-Mile Strip Controversy:

This was not to be. Then acting Prime Minister, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the British government and the Sultan of Zanzibar declined to grant the strip autonomy.

In a letter dated October 5, 1963, Kenyatta bound his government to some undertaking in recognition of the coastal strip.

“I have the honour to refer to the discussions held between our respective governments on the subject of the coastal strip and to place on record the following undertakings by the Government of Kenya,” reads the letter to the prime minister of Zanzibar.

His note further reads: “The free hold titles to land in Coast region that are already registered will at all times be recognised. Steps will be taken to ensure the continuation procedure for the registration of new free hold titles and the rights of free holders will at all times be preserved”.

The letter was used as a legal instrument binding the Government to respect the status quo of land prior to independence.

As revealed by a report prepared by Robertson dated November 23, 1961, some people were advocating for an independent Coastal State before independence: “I recommend that if any system of regional or county administration is set up in Kenya, the Coast Province of Kenya should be one of the counties.”

In 1964, Kenyatta used his office to send signals to the international community that Kenya might renege on some commitments made before independence.

In his note reference “EXT 237/003A of March 25, 1964”, addressed to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kenyatta informed the United Nations of his Government’s intention to review all pre-independence treaties and agreements and determine which of the pacts would be honoured, abrogated or modified after appropriate notice to interested parties.

Tracing the historical perspective of the land issue, the former CKRC commissioner, writes: “In 1895, the Sultan gave the British power to administer the ten-mile coastal strip subject to their respecting the existing Kadhi’s Courts, among other conditions. The British did so and declared a protectorate over the Coast while the rest of Kenya was a colony proper. The Sultan, however, retained sovereignty over the ten-mile Coastal Strip. During the last years of the independence struggle and at the start of the Lancaster House Constitutional talks in 1961, the status and fate of the coastal strip came up for determination.”