Kenyan Man creates Obama Coin

A proud Kenyan shows off his Barack Obama coin that sits on an easel , strategically placed on the dashboard of his car. The coin is rapidly becoming a hot selling item during this christmas gifting season. pic by H.Maina/Ajabu

By Our Writer, Ajabu Africa News

LOWELL, Mass, NOVEMBER 12_ The election of the first black man to be the president of the United States, whose father was a small goat header in a small rural village in Kenya, has had a tremendous effect on Kenyans both at home and abroad.
 
For once, Obama’s election seemed to dissolve the long simmering tribal differences among Kenyans as everyone from the smallest child in any village to the oldest  laid a claim on their closeness to the new leader of the new world. 

Even other communities from around the world, from the Nigerians to the Japanese in the city of Obama, and even Europeans, all claimed blood lineage to Obama, causing a widespread feeling of inspiration by Obama’s ability to rise   from nowhere to become the most powerful man in the world.

During a recent trip to Boston, the widely respected African cultural scholar, Professor Ali Mazrui, told Kenyans that based on the might of the American forces and economy that   president Obama commands, he is   definitely the most powerful black man the world has ever seen, trumping the great Shaka Zulu and even the powerful Egyptian pharaohs who lived centuries ago.

Obama, who has made clear in the media his dislike for tribal politics and allocation of resources based on tribal whims as widely practiced in Africa, has therefore become the number one role model for many youths of all tribes in Kenya and among Kenyans in the Diaspora.

He has inspired all sorts of enterprising ideas among many people in the US, and the global arena, the Obama brand is still selling hot, moving tons of merchandise with ease.

According to recent reports in the media, Obama has single handedly  retuned the US to the number one spot as the most preferred destination by tourists and business leaders in the world.

Not to be left behind, Kenya has also commissioned a project to build the Dero Kogelo Library and Cultural Centre.

 right in Kogelo, a rural village where Obama's late father hailed and where his relatives still live.

The center will preserve the history of Barack obama and will act as the main opener to the Western Kenya tour circuit, expected to attract thousands of tourists each year from all over the world.

But in America, things are moving a little more faster than in Kenya.

One Kenyan got so fired up by Obamas’s rise that he spent days trying to figure out how to preserve this once in a life time experience.

Sammy Maina a young man who traveled from Kenya nine years ago to live and work in the United States and decided to settle in resides in Columbus, Ohio, has now come up with a new commemorative coin to honor the rise of Barack Obama as the first black president of the US, whose roots are straight from Kenya.

Maina has recently decided to make a transition to live and work in Massachusetts, eventually making a move to the city of Lowell, where thousands of Kenyans reside.

Sammy Maina hands a Barack Obama coin as a gift to Hon. Raila Odinga, the Kenyan Prime Minister, during his recent visit to the US

“Coming from Kenya to the United States was an unbelievable culture shock. Everything from the food, work, weather and even the clothes took some time for adjustment. However, it was the best thing that I could have done and I'm very glad that I took the opportunity to come to this great country.” Maina said.

Since coming to America, Mr. Maina has been on a continual quest to find projects to be able to
support his life here as well as some of the charitable causes for his homeland (Kenya).

Many children in Kenya live under extremely harsh and adverse conditions. Mr. Maina attempts to assist as best that he can with funds that he can afford to direct back to select charities.

Maina's first job in the U.S. was working in a nursing home helping to take care of some of the most sick elderly patients that lived there. “This was one of the most rewarding positions that I have ever done. In Kenya the elderly are highly respected, honored and revered.” To be able to work and to help them in my small way was a blessing each day for them and for me.” Maina said.

Upon arriving in Massachusetts, one of the first jobs that Mr. Maina took after being in the state for
only one week was to help an elderly patient that had recently suffered a stroke. It was here that his
mind began to think what else could he do that would enable him to continue to support his charitable course.

By a stroke of God blessed luck he had been watching the recent inauguration of Barack Obama on
television. “I thought here is the first Black African American president of the United States and his
roots are from my homeland in Kenya. I can come up with something that will commemorate this
historical event with our Kenyan heritage.”

Shortly, thereafter a Barack Obama coin was created. Mr. Maina's friend Mercy adds “As Kenyan's, we
are extremely proud to have the first Black African American president of the U.S. With roots from our
homeland.”In strange coincidence, Kenya recently was the first country in Africa to have a peaceful
and democratic coalition government.

Mercy, a Kenyan Nurse and a friend of Maina, and an American friend admire the The Barack Obama coin in Lowell.

This coin honors both Kenya and Barack Obama and symbolizes the close unity that Kenya and America have. One side features a portrait of Mr. Obama with his prototypical raised thumb, emblazoned in a shiny plate of Gold. Text around the outer edge states, “President of the United States Barack Obama, Native Kenyan Son.”

The opposite side features the colorful Kenyan coat of arms with text around the outer edge in Swahili that reads “Mwaka 2009 Historia Yawekwa Kijana Wetu Kawa Raisi Wa Marekani,” and translates as “In the year 2009, history was made in America.”Inside the Kenyan coat of arms is inscribed with the word “HARAMBEE” which means we are one.

  “This bling bling is awesome. I have never seen anything like this”, said James Njenga , of Senga’s Kinyozi in Lowell in reference to the street name of coveted Jewels in the US. “ I  will buy and sell these coins to my clients as I fix their hair”, added the new barber in  town.

Njenga said he himself was inspired by Obama to start up his small business which has been picking up pretty well recently.

The coin has been causing ripples in the Kenyan community to those who have come across it. Dozens have already purchased the coin form Maina who is currently looking for willing distributors.

 “People can buy the coin as a gift to their friends especially during this holiday season, or they could just place it on any surface where they can often view it to preserve the memory of Obama, said Maina in an interview with AjabuAfrica.com.
 
 Amazed by the great appeal of the coin, the chairman of the Kenya pastors Fellowship Association in New England, Bishop David Karaya, said that he was not surprised by the new creation.

  “Just like Dr. Wilfred Lai said recently when he was here in Lowell, anyone could come up with a small idea that might end up making him wealthy and blessing many people in the process”

The Barack Obama coin sitting squarely at Senga's Kinyozi on Central street in Lowell

 He wished  Maina good luck with the coin sales and  encouraged other young people to think of other  creative ideas that can lead to  better lives for everybody.

Ten percent (10%) of the proceeds from the sale of the commemorative coin will go to recognizable charities that assist in fighting hunger and poverty throughout Kenya. The first production coin was set aside for President Barack Obama.

The second production coin for Oprah Winfrey. Both Mr. Obama and Mrs. Winfrey have personified what it means to be African American with heritage in the African nation. Their efforts to effect change in Africa have been sincere and without exception.

The third and fourth production coins go to Prime Minister of Kenya Raila Odinga and President of Kenya Mwai Kibaki. Mr. Maina had the opportunity to personally hand the coin to Mr. Odinga recently in New York as seen in the photo below.

The fifth production coin was given to Revered Pastor of Kenya Wilfred Lai who was in Lowell on a recent church crusade.

In Massachusetts the coin is being distributed by Ajabu Ventures   based on 297 West 6th street in Lowell , and by John Njorev in Ohio.

The coin goes for  $19.95, with an option to purchase a $1 easel for proper displaying.

 At least this year, I will not scratch my head too much trying to figure out the most unique gift I will buy for my best friend at work”, said Joseph Waweru of Everett, Mass.. "This coin is the perfect gift to show the uniqueness of Kenya at this point in the history of time", Waweru added as he fished out a bill from his pocket to pay for one coin.

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For more information visit.


www.theBarackObamacoin.com


To purchase the coin, call Ajabu Ventures at : 1- 877 - 203 - 6417

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