Today is undoubtedly the BIG day! Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America at approximately 20.30 Hours Kenyan time this Tuesday the 20th January 2009.

All across Kenya, Radio and Television Stations will be broadcasting live coverage of the inauguration. Lots and lots of bars, restaurants and nightclubs across the country are expecting booming business tonight as patrons are expected to watch and celebrate the inauguration, no less with friends and family, as a monumental chapter in history unfolds. The atmosphere in Kenya is electric as Barack Obama, who most Kenyans see as one of their own, will be sworn in as the most powerful man in the world with a Kenyan name and heritage!

No matter what anyone says, hype and all, this is a really big deal for Kenya and one to be proud of, even if we never have another official “Obama Day” tomorrow as many Kenyans have been asking for, as was the case when Barack Obama won the Election on the 5th of November 2008.

Going forward, the big challenge will be for people to realise that Barack Obama, at the end of the day,  is a man who has a lot on his shoulders. There are so many expectations of him, even during the current challenging times afflicting the  entire world – his to-do list is indeed daunting. This is just the beginning – we wish Barack Obama all the best and welcome his leadership of the free world!