Posted Monday, August 25 2008
In the book Dreams from my Father by the US presidential candidate, Ruth Ndesandjo features prominently.
Obama Snr’s third wife, unlike Senator Obama’s mother Ann, is one of the least known ever since she came to Kenya from Havard 44 years ago and married Obama Snr.
As she went about her business in Nairobi as Madari kindergarten teacher, she told the Nation: “I’ve been here for 44 years and run this school for 28 years, but my age is none of your business.”
A close family friend who talked to the Nation after the interview at her residence had fond memories of his encounter with Ruth’s parents in Boston, USA, in 1966. Mr Barack Odinge Odera said Obama Snr and Ruth were a wonderful couple.
Ruth was most reluctant to do this interview. “No interview about my private life. I’m Mrs Ndesandjo, a caring man who built for me the school you visited,” she said.
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Across town, is the 26-six year-old Obama Jnr’s half-brother called Hussein, a brother called Rajab and a niece called Mwanaisha. Rajab, who has a college education recently moved out to a more upmarket address.
Their mother, Mrs Jael Otieno, stays in Atlanta, US, but has kept a low profile. She, however, sends money to the family.
Hussein is generally quiet and occasionally speaks softly, but as he moves from a distance, he resembles the US presidential candidate. George Hussein Onyango Obama hardly talks about his world famous half-brother. He also attends part-time training in Buru Buru, not very far from where he stays.
George was born to Obama Snr and Jael six months before his father died in a car accident in Kenya. Jael has since remarried a Frenchman and settled in Atlanta.
