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Malik Obama

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Not to be confused with Malia Obama.
Malik Obama
Born
Abon’go Malik Obama

March 1958
Nairobi, Kenya
Other namesRoy
CitizenshipKenya
United States
Occupation(s)Businessperson, politician
Known forFormer President Barack Obama's half-brother
Political partyRepublican
Parent(s)Barack Obama Sr.
Kezia Obama
RelativesAuma Obama (sister)
Barack Obama (brother)
FamilyObama family

Abon’go Malik "Roy" Obama (born March 1958) is a Kenyan-American businessman and politician known for being the older half-brother of 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, and the son of economist Barack Obama Sr.

Biography

Abon’go Malik "Roy" Obama was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya.[1][2] His parents are economist Barack Obama Sr. and his first wife, Kezia Obama (née Aoko).[3] Obama earned a degree in accounting from the University of Nairobi.[4] He met his younger half-brother, Barack Obama, for the first time in 1985,[1] when Barack flew from Chicago to Washington, D.C., to visit Malik.[5] The two each served as best man at the other's wedding.[1] Barack brought his wife Michelle Obama to Kenya three years later, seeing Malik again while meeting many other relatives for the first time.[6] Malik Obama is Muslim.[7] He is a naturalized citizen of the United States who was registered to vote in Maryland as of 2016.[2]

Malik Obama lives in the Obamas' ancestral home, Nyang'oma Kogelo, a village of several hundred people, preferring its slow pace to that of the city.[1] He runs a small electronics shop a half-hour's drive away in another town.[1] Although much of the Obama family has dispersed throughout Kenya and overseas, most, including Malik, still consider their rural village on the shores of Lake Victoria to be their true home. They feel that those who have left the village have become culturally "lost".[8] A frequent visitor to the United States,[6] and a consultant in Washington, D.C., for several months each year,[1] Obama has dual citizenship in Kenya and the United States.[9]

Political career and advocacy

During his brother's 2008 presidential campaign, Malik Obama was a spokesman for the extended Obama family in Kenya. He dealt with safety and privacy concerns arising from the increased attention from the press.[10]

Obama ran for governor of the Kenyan county of Siaya in 2013.[11] His campaign slogan was "Obama here, Obama there" in reference to his half-brother who was serving his second term as the President of the United States. Malik garnered 2,792 votes, about 140,000 votes behind the eventual winner.[12]

Prior to the 2016 United States presidential election, Obama stated that he supported Donald Trump, the candidate for the Republican Party.[13] He attended the third presidential debate as one of Trump's guests.[14]

On June 12, 2020, Malik reportedly endorsed the incumbent United States president Donald Trump,[15] and later in the week posted a fake and historically inaccurate birth certificate of Obama in support of the Barack Obama citizenship conspiracy theories. The birth certificate alleges Obama was born in the Republic of Kenya in 1961, despite the Republic of Kenya not being founded until December 12, 1963. The faux Kenyan certificate also contained a seal which read South Australia, further affirming its lack of authenticity. There is no reason or precedent for a Republic of Kenya birth certificate to have a South Australian seal.[16][17] His sister Auma (among others) condemned him for promoting the theory.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Maliti, Tom (October 26, 2004). "Obama's Brother Chooses Life in Slow Lane". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 28, 2006.
  2. ^ a b Lind, Dara (October 19, 2016). "Why Donald Trump is bringing Barack Obama's half-brother to the debate". Vox. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  3. ^ jpt (June 18, 2008). "From the Fact Check Desk: What Did Obama's Half-Brother Say About Obama's Background". ABC News.
  4. ^ Dreams from my Father, p. 265.
  5. ^ Dreams from my Father, p. 262.
  6. ^ a b *Oywa, John (August 15, 2004). "Sleepy Little Village Where Obama Traces His Own Roots". The Daily Nation.
  7. ^ Bearak, Max. "The story behind President Obama's half brother Malik, whom Trump invited to tonight's debate". Washington Post. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  8. ^ Philip Ochieng (November 1, 2004). "From Home Squared to the US Senate: How Barack Obama Was Lost and Found". The East African. Archived from the original on March 14, 2008. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  9. ^ Seftel, Briana (October 19, 2016). "Who Is Malik Obama? At Last Debate, Trump Supporter And Half-Brother Of The President To Be Guest Of Republican Nominee". International Business Times.
  10. ^ Warah, Rasna (June 9, 2008). "We cannot lay claims on Obama; he's not one of us – Obama in this world". Daily Nation. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
  11. ^ Gichana, David (January 14, 2013). "Obama's Step-Brother Will Seek Governorship of Kenyan County". Bloomberg.
  12. ^ Walker, Hunter (March 7, 2013). "President Obama's Brother Loses Election in Kenya". The New York Observer. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  13. ^ Vincent, Isabel (July 24, 2016). "Why Obama's half-brother says he'll be voting for Donald Trump". New York Post. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  14. ^ Begley, Sarah (October 18, 2016). "Donald Trump Is Bringing President Obama's Half-Brother to the Third Debate". Time.
  15. ^ Wanjohi, John. "Malik Obama Throws Support Behind Donald Trump, William Ruto". www.mwakilishi.com. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  16. ^ "Obama's Brother Malik Tweets FAKE Birth Certificate Showing Obama Was Born in Kenya, Calls Him 'Stingy'". Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  17. ^ Wanjohi, John. "Malik Obama Tweets Fake Barack Obama's Kenyan Birth Certificate". www.mwakilishi.com. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  18. ^ "Auma Obama calls out brother Malik over fake Barack Obama birth certificate". Citizentv.co.ke. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
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