Souvenir sellers cash in on president’s weekend visit
NAIROBI, Dorothy
KENYA Achieng wished President Obama would have extended his stay in Kenya, not because of the U.S. president’s roots here but because he’s been a boon to her souvenir business.
“I have made so much money,” said Achieng, 48, who hawked portraits of Obama to hang in their homes, businesses or cars. She was disappointed that he left Sunday for Ethiopia.
Obama T-shirts, flags and other souvenirs brought in big profits to vendors such as Achieng during the president’s three-day visit.
Artist Dayan Masinde said he prepared for the trip two months ago by designing Obama’s portrait. “My artwork ... went viral, and I was approached by government and private companies to make more portraits,” he said.
Bar and restaurant owners did a brisk business. In this capital city, they served business leaders, celebrities and foreign government officials attending the Global Entrepreneurship Summit that ended Sunday.
Across the country, Kenyans have packed restaurants and bars since Friday to celebrate Obama’s arrival in Kenya, where his father was born.
“I wish Obama could have stayed here for some extra days to boost our economy,” said Willys Omondi, who owns Trailer-in Bar and Restaurant in Nairobi.
Newspapers have sold out copies to readers who want to remember the visit.
“I have come here very early in the morning to grab a copy of newspaper before people can buy them all,” said Simon Nzioka at the offices of the Daily Nation newspaper.
There has been a big demand for digital set-top boxes, salesman Kevin Kiare said. “Residents have been grappling for these set-top boxes to follow Obama news,” he said.
Kenyans were inspired by Obama’s call at Sunday’s business summit for young entrepreneurs to follow their dreams.
Judith Owigar, founder of AkiraChix, a non-profit organization that aims to inspire women to launch tech start-ups, said she hopes the summit will help spark improvements in Kenya’s largely impoverished economy.
Nearly half of Kenyans live in poverty, according to the World Bank. The United Nations estimates Kenya’s unemployment rate is about 40%.