Kenyans celebrate as Obama eyes White House

NAIROBI, Jan 17 (Reuters) Kenyans rejoiced today after Barack Obama plunged into the US presidential race, saying if the youthful senator from Illinois wins the White House he will not forget his African roots.

Obama, who was born in Hawaii to a Kenyan father and a white American mother, was greeted like a long-lost son in August when he visited his ancestral village in the remote western Kenya.

His vow yesterday to ''change our politics'' with a campaign that could make him the first black president in US history was greeted with cheers of joy and pride on the streets of the capital Nairobi.

''Obama can win,'' Giddings Ochanda, a trainee medical technician, told Reuters.

''He has experienced a hard life as an African growing up in the United States, and that experience will make him a good leader for everyone. It will be good for Kenya-US relations.'' Others were overjoyed that someone they saw as a ''fellow African'' could aspire to the world's top job.

''If an African can make it into the White House, it will show Africans anywhere can make it,'' said office worker Moreen Chirchir.

''It will show we can make it.'' When the 45-year-old Obama visited Kenya last year, he was welcomed with a carnival atmosphere and cheering crowds thronging his motorcade.

Despite his efforts to play down local expectations during that trip that his role as a US senator would have an immediate impact in Kenya, many still revered him as one of their own who had succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.

Obama's father grew up herding goats before studying in America then returning to Kenya to become a noted economist.

''He has the people at heart,'' said Nairobi teacher Leah Alisa.

''He will have American interests as his priority, and he should, but he will change their foreign policy,'' she said.

''He won't forget Africa.'' Reuters MS VV1702