Baby Donald Trump Otieno plays with a handler Martha Osino at their house in Lolwe Kisumu. Parents of baby Trump named him after US president elect whom they admire. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO

Baby Donald Trump Otieno plays with a handler Martha Osino at their house in Lolwe Kisumu. Parents of baby Trump named him after US president elect whom they admire. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO





United States President elect Donald Trump’s victory may not have impressed many Kenyans but to one family in Kisumu, the billionaires win was a blessing in disguise.

Mr Felix Otieno and his wife Lorna Akoth could not hide their bliss following Mr Trump’s victory.

The couple had defied all odds and criticisms in August and named their third born son Donald Trump Otieno following what they said was based on the president-elect’s principles.

In an interview with Nation in Kisumu on Thursday, Mr Otieno said the decision was influenced by Mr Trump’s “open mind” that saw him make controversial statements regardless of his audience.

“He spoke his mind deep from his heart. Most politicians are not sincere like him,” Mr Otieno says.

“I admired Mr Trump because he is a man who says what he thinks and thinks what he says. I love people who speak the truth without any fears,” he added.

Ms Akoth says Mr Trump stood his ground on controversial policies despite criticisms.

“He was frank and firm. At least he spoke the truth without using propaganda or lies to win votes. We loved him and had to name our son after him,” she says.

UNPLEASANT REACTION

A picture of the birth notification bearing the name Donald Trump Otieno has been shared countless times on social media, attracting unpleasant reaction.

Ms Akoth says their first born son was also named Robert Kelly after the renown American comedian and actor while the second born was named Prince Charles after the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (UK).

The third born baby Donald Trump Otieno was born on August 9, 2016 at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu at the height of intense campaigns pitying the President elect and Democrat Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

At the time, according to his father Mr Otieno, he was not sure whether Mr Trump would pull a surprise victory but he had the conviction the billionaire businessman had what it takes to be a leader.

“It was not about if he wins or not but his principles as a leader that inspired me to name my son after him,” Mr Otieno said.

A spot check at the Jaramogi hospital’s maternity wards on Thursday revealed gloomy mothers who had just given birth on Tuesday when Mr Trump pulled the shocker win.

The facility’s health records and information officer Dr Tom Morike said a total of 18 babies were born at the hospital on Wednesday – 15 male and 3 females but none was named after Mr Trump.

“Today (Thursday) as at 11 am we had 5 births – 4 females and 1 male and still no parent was willing to name their babies after Mr Trump,” Dr Morike said.

AFFECTION FOR CLINTON

According to him, the mothers had wished Mrs Clinton victory.

“They said they would have named all the 18 babies born on Wednesday after Hillary Clinton regardless of their gender had she won,” said the medical officer.

A mother, who only identified herself as Ms Christine, said: “We don’t like Trump so we cannot name our kids (babies) after him. At least for Hillary Clinton, we would be happy to name our babies after her.”

Donald John Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States on Wednesday after a campaign characterized by racial slurs, claims of sexual assault and attacks on rivals and the political process.

His campaigns sparked controversy after he vowed to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, force the Mexican government to pay for a giant border, and renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

His continued criticisms against President Barrack Obama, who traces his roots at Kogelo in Alego, Siaya County, seems not to have gone down well with Kenyans, majority from the Nyanza region.

Cord leader Raila Odinga, who enjoys massive support in the region, appeared to have leaned towards Mrs Clinton’s side hence endearing many of his supporters to the Democrat candidate.

Mr Odinga, Amani National Congress leader, Musalia Mudavadi, and Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua were among some notable Kenyans who attended the Democratic Party convention in Philadelphia, USA where Mrs Clinton was endorsed as the party’s flag bearer for the November election.

