Former United States President Barack Obama’s sister, Auma has landed herself in trouble with Kenyan social media users over her begging remarks.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV’s Opinion Court on Thursday night, Ms Obama criticized Kenyans’ behavior of always relying on aid instead of working hard to change their lives.
Auma, who had been invited to shed light on his brother’s upcoming tour to Kenya, said Obama can’t solve the country’s problems as Kenyans expect him to.
“It is true Obama is coming to Kenya. He has done something, I have done something I can show the world. What have you done? Are we just waiting for the arrival of Obama so that we say we can be helped?
“Guys we need to get up and start working, do something to leave a legacy,” she said, adding that their people in Nyanza are fond of gonya (a luo term for borrowing behaviour).
Her sentiments seems to have rubbed some Kenyan online users in the wrong way. Blogger Robert Alai termed her remarks as uncalled for.
“Talking about “Gonya”, you realise that Auma Obama has that UGLY attitude of the extended Obama family. To her, Luos are just going to beg Obama nothing more. Now all the K’Ogelo people are just beggars and that’s what she could see beyond the many issues she could have addressed,” blogger Robert Alai tweeted on Friday.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party communication director, Philip Etale said: “Auma, did you have to say all that about your people? Where I come from we say, humble yourself and you will be blessed. Even the Holy bible talks about humility. Your presser on Barrack Obama’s visit was full of self-praise & unnecessary braggadocio akin to a baby eating chapo.”
Another netizen felt aggrieved given Obama, either way, did not help Kenyans during his eight year term as US president, adding that his coming would not make a difference.
“So Dr. Auma Obama warned Kenyans that his brother was not coming to dish handouts to beggars, In Luo “gonya” or in Luhya “mbekho”! What she forgot is that Kenyans have lived all along without Obama’s help and even when he was the POTUS he never assisted Kenyans in any way!,” another user Lloyd Onyango noted.
Jams Miyomo said: “Who told Auma Obama that we are waiting for his step brothers to come and give us handouts?”
User Jevans Omonge didn’t see any problem in Auma’s sentiments. He said: “Why crime did Auma Obama commit? The lady has great initiative. The problem is that our people, hate the truth, and self-critique. As a people we need to be candid and offer viable solutions not living in denial.”
Isn’t that the truth?
Isn’t that the truth?
To me it does sound like it…
To me it does sound like it is a simple verifiable truth. But wait, we take pride in the self deceit and self-denial that anyone who has the audacity to criticize our beggar behavior, receives a lashing from some armchair keyboard warriors. The warriors who know they can depend on the support of equally gullible followers. Stand by your words Auma. With time your truth will sink in.
Kenyan’s hate to be told the…
Kenyan’s hate to be told the truth. i dont see anything bad she said. We have such a rich and wonderful country but we are so busy copying the west and thinking if they dont help us we cant survive. Poor thinking mentality of the so-called two penny useless bloggers they thought Obama will come and solve everyones problem. He has his own problems as well.
Auma’s remarks are good if…
Auma’s remarks are good if they are addressed to the leadership of Luo Nyanza (actually Kenya in general) who will go to foreign countries to beg after pocketing billions in salaries. With a 3 Trillion budget, I believe it is possible to invest one whole Trillion in development and quit relying on donor funded development.
She was talking about her…
She was talking about her people only but I have to say the attitude is in the whole of Kenya. Some even beg when they have the money unable to get away from the poverty striken mentality. No wonder people want to steal and steal (read hoard)so they can never be poor again.
Nothing but the truth. We…
Nothing but the truth. We always suffocate those who we think are better than us with our needs. Isn’t that why no one wants to pick up calls from relatively the beginning of the school because you know the contents of the conversation?
Auma is absolutely right…
Auma is absolutely right. Some Kenyan communities has a habit of thinking that they should always be given handouts. Obama is not coming to give them free things. Kudos Auma,truth hurts.
Ms Obama is so right. These…
Ms Obama is so right. These begging elders should first demand the county government account for the billions they get from the central government. Bure kabisa leave President Obama alone. Make demands from the central government. Get that wonder boy to stop PR gimmicks and fight corruption.
I stand with Auma on this. I…
I stand with Auma on this. I believe the advice is for a long haul.The people who cherish handouts cannot free themselves out of the vice because it’s sweet ,Free earned money without sweat.But a few individuals who cherish and are endowed with African community values ,especially the Luo ,who are known for their pride will agree that “GONYA” is a curse ,that should be chased a way from our mid dist with speed_Dr Auma Obama style.
The remarks by Auma were…
The remarks by Auma were overrated,people unlock each other daily,in everything,I unlock you today, you unlock me tomorrow. What car were you driving in 1988,and today??
who lent a hand of support to who you are today,or how magical are you,to use just one finger to crush lice????each person needs the other one.no one ever do it alone.you must ‘gonyo ji'(unlock people ) it can physically,emotionally,spiritually,financially,in all manner,just like you are also trying a noble project,which I like…..all these are “gonya-gonya”