Zeituni Onyango
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Zeituni Onyango (born 29 May 1952 in Kenya)[1] is a relative of U.S presidential candidate Barack Obama[2].
Background
Onyango is the half-sister of United States Senator Barack Obama's late father.[3] Onyango is referred to as "Aunti Zeituni" in Dreams from My Father, a memoir written by Barack Obama.[4] Barack Obama first met Onyango in 1988 in his first trip to Kenya.[1] Onyango worked as a computer programmer at Kenya Breweries in Nairobi during that period. Onyango claims to have visited the United States multiple times since 1975, and to have returned to Kenya each time. Onyango suffers from a physical disability and uses a walking stick.[1]
By 2008, nOyango had been living quietly in a South Boston public housing project, according to Boston Public Housing Authority officials.[5] William McGonigle, deputy director of the Authority, called Onyango a "delightful lady" and "a great resident" who did a "wonderful job" as a public health advocate. He commented that Oyango was "not looking for fame or notoriety, and we were as surprised as anyone to learn she was related to the Democratic nominee."[5]
Onyango worked as a volunteer computer systems co-ordinator for the Experience Corps, a program in which adults over 55 mentor children in their communities.[1]
Media coverage
Onyango became the subject of media attention in the final week of the 2008 U.S. presidential election in which Barack Obama was candidate. The impetus for the scrutiny was an article by the Associated Press which reported that Onyango was living in the United States without valid immigration status, after being asked to leave the country.[6] The Associated Press stated that this information was "disclosed and confirmed by two separate sources, one a federal law enforcement official".[7]
Obama's campaign confirmed that Zeituni Onyango was his aunt.[3] In response, Obama stated that he did not know that Onyango was living in the United States without valid immigration status and that he believes the appropriate laws should be followed.[8] Onyango's case resulted in an special nationwide directive within Immigrations and Customs Enforcement requiring any deportations to be approved at the level of ICE regional directors before the U.S presidential election.[6]
Onyango contributed money to the Obama campaign in small donations.[3] Federal Election Commission records show that she donated multiple times to her nephew's campaign, and records compiled by The Huffington Post show she gave a total of $260 to the campaign.[9] The Washington Post reported that Onyango had donated to the Obama campaign "at least five times" in July and September, "three times for $5 and twice for $25".[5] As only citizens of the United States and immigrants with green cards are allowed to make political contributions, the Obama campaign announced that they are refunding the money.[10]
References
- ^ a b c d http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24578185-5017121,00.html
- ^ For Obama Aunt, a Quiet South Boston Life
- ^ a b c First read, MSNBC
- ^ Boston Housing Authority ‘flabbergastered’ Barack Obama’s aunt living in Southie
- ^ a b c http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/31/for_obama_aunt_a_quiet_south_b.html
- ^ a b Associated Press AP: Obama aunt from Kenya living in US illegally
- ^ http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA_AUNT?SITE=NYPLA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
- ^ http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVVj5SjAgqpjIbqdmcOB74FtqRIAD94674OG0
- ^ Aunt Zeituni in Hub, Obama campaign says
- ^ Gardiner Harris (2008-11-01). "Obama Unaware of Status of Aunt, Campaign Says". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
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