On 4 November 2008, Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States and the first Black man to hold the office. His father, Barack Obama Senior, was from Kogelo village in Siaya County, western Kenya. When the result was announced, Kenya erupted. People danced in the streets of Nairobi, Kisumu and cities across the country. President Mwai Kibaki declared a public holiday. The election was held during the painful aftermath of Kenya's own post-election violence. For one night, watching America elect a son of Kenya to its highest office, the country felt something close to joy.