Worshippers in Kisumu, in the heartland of US White House hopeful Barack Obama's Kenyan family, on Sunday prayed for the Democrat senator's victory in the November 4 presidential poll.
Sarah Palin, the vice presidential candidate on the rival Republican ticket, famously received a blessing earlier this year in Alaska from a visiting Kenyan pastor who claims special powers against witchcraft.
But two days before the crucial vote,
Obama received the less controversial backing of thousands of church-goers in Kisumu and the surrounding region, where his 86-year-old grandmother still lives.
At Kisumu's Baptist Church, dozens of Christian faithful sang and prayed for Obama, who has become the East African nation's favourite son and whose White House bid has triggered a wave of enthusiasm and seen support groups crop up all over Kenya.
Raising their hands in the air, grimacing worshippers weaved their prayers into a chorus over keyboard tunes belting through a home-made woofer.
"We put Barack Obama in your hands. It is you who chooses leaders, help him in the elections so that he can win," prayed Reverend Samson Otieno, likening the contest between Obama and Republican candidate John
McCain to the biblical duel between David and Goliath.
"We will give you thanks and praise when he wins," Otieno said.
"I am praying the will of God be done so that people do not despise Africans," said Olivia Achieng, sweat pearling on her forehead, after an energetic prayer for her favourite candidate.
Other special prayer sessions were scheduled across the western Kenyan region in the final run-up to Tuesday's vote.
Sarah Palin, the vice presidential candidate on the rival Republican ticket, famously received a blessing earlier this year in Alaska from a visiting Kenyan pastor who claims special powers against witchcraft.
But two days before the crucial vote,
Obama received the less controversial backing of thousands of church-goers in Kisumu and the surrounding region, where his 86-year-old grandmother still lives.At Kisumu's Baptist Church, dozens of Christian faithful sang and prayed for Obama, who has become the East African nation's favourite son and whose White House bid has triggered a wave of enthusiasm and seen support groups crop up all over Kenya.
Raising their hands in the air, grimacing worshippers weaved their prayers into a chorus over keyboard tunes belting through a home-made woofer.
"We put Barack Obama in your hands. It is you who chooses leaders, help him in the elections so that he can win," prayed Reverend Samson Otieno, likening the contest between Obama and Republican candidate John
McCain to the biblical duel between David and Goliath."We will give you thanks and praise when he wins," Otieno said.
"I am praying the will of God be done so that people do not despise Africans," said Olivia Achieng, sweat pearling on her forehead, after an energetic prayer for her favourite candidate.
Other special prayer sessions were scheduled across the western Kenyan region in the final run-up to Tuesday's vote.
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