Malik Obama says he was inspired by his half-brother’s success in the United States to become a candidate for political office in Kenya.
Obama, 54, has announced he is running for governor of Siaya County in southwestern Kenya, CNN reported. He was born in Siaya as was his father, Barack Obama Sr.
U.S. President Barack Obama gave him some political advice in November when he visited Washington, Malik Obama said this week: “Have thick skin; be honest and sincere.”
Born to the elder Obama’s first wife, Malik Obama is three years older than the president. The two first met in 1985 when Obama was in the United States and became close, serving as best men at each other’s weddings.
Obama Sr. married Ann Dunham in Hawaii after she became pregnant. The couple separated when the future president was very young, and he only met his Kenyan relatives years later.
Obama said he hopes to bring the development he has seen elsewhere in the world to Siaya County, which is on Lake Victoria.
“My agenda is 1. poverty eradication, 2. infrastructure development and 3. industrialization,” he told CNN.