Barack Obama's Step-Grandmother, Sarah Obama, Injured In Kenya Car Accident

NAIROBI, Kenya -- President Barack Obama's 91-year-old step-grandmother suffered bruises and shock after a car she was traveling in rolled over, a relative and a hospital official said Monday.

The relative said Sarah Obama was traveling to her home in the village of Kogelo, in western Kenya, when the accident happened Saturday night.

He said the vehicle lost control and rolled as the driver attempted to overtake a truck near the Kisumu airport. The relative asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak for the family.

Najim Mawji, the chief operating officer of the Agha Khan hospital in Kisumu, said doctors discharged her Saturday night after she had gone through several tests.

Mawji said she coped well with the shock that came from the accident.

Sarah Obama is the second wife of Obama's paternal grandfather. Obama referred to her as "Granny" in his memoir, "Dreams from My Father," and described meeting her during his 1988 trip to his father's homeland and their awkwardness as they struggled to communicate.

Barack Obama has visited his Kenyan relatives three times in Kogelo, and his step-grandmother has gone to the U.S. at least three times. In a 2008 interview she said they are close, although they have to speak through an interpreter.

Kenya has a special regard for President Obama, the son of a Kenyan economist and an American anthropologist. Children, shops and dozens of minibuses – which carry names in Kenya – are named after the president.

Comments

[Roxanne Ende]

05:57 PM on 02/07/2012

I;m glad she's OK, too. Could have been much worse. When you're in your 90's elderly people don't handle things very well, and something very minor could have been dreadful. She's in our prayers.

[rgm012153]

04:59 PM on 02/07/2012

I'm glad she's ok an accident is bad enough when you are young but when you are in your 90's that's really bad. thank God

[Lilisome]

10:03 AM on 02/07/2012

This is a nice 91 year old woman who didn't choose to be part of this drama surrounding her step-grandson. She is humble and has handled the situation well. You mean hateful people- all those negative emotions will make you sick.

[divemedic911]

12:53 AM on 02/07/2012

Thank god Ted Kennedy wasn't driving or they'd still be out there.

[y-abebe]

01:37 AM on 02/07/2012

you need to get off the thing you are taking immediately!!!!you are out there!!!!

[divemedic911]

01:05 PM on 02/07/2012

What are you 17?

[sarafranco100]

11:37 PM on 02/06/2012

Wait a minute how is it his Step Grandmother when thats his Fathers Mother So That Makes Her His Real Blood Grandmother You People on Here are full of garbage you republicans make me wanna throw up and btw im a independent And i Will Be voting For Obama Come November Because Everyone of the Republican Presidential Candidates are full of Crap I Cant Take Any of them serious and after all you guys sent this country down the crapper in the first place And Then Left Poor Obama to Clean Up The MASSIVE Mess and then you Wanna call him Lousy president when he cant do the impossible and clean up 8yrs worth of trouble in Barely 4yrs

[divemedic911]

12:48 AM on 02/07/2012

Blah,Blah, whatever...ankle biter

[lareinemargot]

02:15 AM on 02/07/2012

It says there - Sarah Obama is the second wife of Obama's paternal grandfather so thát's how she's his stepgrandmother. As for the Republican and Democrat thing, I can't comment since I'm not a US citizen but good luck to all of you in your next election.

[lookiehere]

10:04 PM on 02/06/2012

And you libs think most Americans will tolerate four more years of this nonsense....? Haaaaaaaa

[Roy49]

10:40 AM on 02/07/2012

What? What the Hell are you talking about? Are you stupid?

[Reggie1947]

09:58 PM on 02/06/2012

If that lady has a license, it must mean that, in Kenya, drivers licenses are printed on a roll. You can either tear one off and go driving, or you can wipe something with it.

[KenGirl]

11:48 AM on 02/07/2012

Wouldn't it be good if you learned to read an article before commenting. The article mentioned that "her driver" was the one driving.

[Foday]

01:36 PM on 02/07/2012

KenGirl, some people just do not know how to read English. Some don't even bother to read but just jump to conclusions. This is a good example

[rosasturtles1]

09:50 PM on 02/06/2012

good to hear she's ok....

[Loretta Reno]

10:35 PM on 02/06/2012

I will pray for her

[skeakins]

09:00 PM on 02/06/2012

This is the same woman that swears Obama was born in Kenya.

[Ferrante Eric Fotografie]

08:29 PM on 02/07/2012

She NEVER said that. Here's the tape listen. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2009/07/30/72794/heres-the-truth-birther-claims.html
Now sing it together " Born in the USA ".

OBAMA 2012

[skeakins]

11:08 PM on 02/07/2012

For every phony tape you find...there are 10 that tell the truth. Obama was not born in the US. His father was not a US citizen. He's not eligible to be president.

[indyvet]

08:38 PM on 02/06/2012

Lot of haters on this page. I'm out of here.

[FoxJunkie]

08:26 PM on 02/06/2012

You mean she isn't living in America like the rest of his clan?

[adamshopkins]

08:47 PM on 02/06/2012

FAVED -

[muscle guy]

09:08 PM on 02/06/2012

no, she gets her ssi checks sent directly to kenya

[divemedic911]

12:47 AM on 02/07/2012

LMAO.

Go SF

Semper Fi

[adamshopkins]

08:48 PM on 02/06/2012

You are right it is not - not much to be proud of in his heritage. Maybe that is why he is so pom pous.

[anonymous73]

01:45 AM on 02/07/2012

I have personally met the family, and they are beautiful, caring people not derserving of your demonization. Please get your facts straight smburwick and adamshopkins, and don't paint everyone with the same brush. Have some compassion, someone was injured.

[muscle guy]

09:09 PM on 02/06/2012

sounds like a lovely family

[kaymettee]

08:17 PM on 02/06/2012

That's amazing. She's 91 years old and has a nasty accident where the car rolls over and she gets a few bruises. Wow. She must have one powerfully strong body. If that had been me I would now be trying out for the angels choir, not that they would have me as I can't sing a note and sound like a cat with it's tail caught in the door. God Bless, He's watching over her that's for sure.

stuff

[Blakjak572]

07:43 PM on 02/06/2012

So heartwarming to see the nice Christian comments made by the conservatives concerning the injuries of a 91 year old woman.

[adamshopkins]

08:49 PM on 02/06/2012

I am sure you made nice Christian comments about Bush and his wife Laura - you should read on down and find out about one about Laura when she was a teenager. Dis gus ting. Read it and then make your judgment.

[neocom43]

07:10 PM on 02/06/2012

At least she wasn't living in the U.S. illegally like some of his other relatives.

[jufrgs]

11:53 PM on 02/06/2012

It would not be a big deal since we are all living in the United States illegally.

[neocom43]

01:10 PM on 02/07/2012

And to think that liberals get upset with the "birthers."