Some of this stuff you just can't make up.
Yep, apparently Odinga Odinga, Raila Odinga's father, hated his Christian birth name so much rejected it utterly.
He was also a Luo tribesman. Obama happens to be of Luo tribal descent via his father.
So when he visited his 'cousin' Raila Odinga it was perceived that a Luo tribesman could possibly become President of the United States. This gave the guy a serious boost.
Nice of the distinguished Senator to blantantly interfere in the elections of another sovereign nation.