Barack Obama recalls how his brother Malik left him stranded

Former US President Barack Obama has a markedly warm relationship with his sister, Dr Auma Obama who was his host when he launched her foundation – Sauti Kuu.

However, President Obama’s relationship with his elder brother, Malik is not so cordial as the elder Obama has often attacked his famous brother through numerous press statements.

On Monday, the hostility played out after Malik’s wife, Sheila, was blocked from accessing Barack’s event in Kogelo since she did not have a gate pass.

The incident offers a reminder of a similar incident when Malik locked out his own brother and left him stranded in Washington.

In his book, Dreams from my father, Barack recalls an incident when he flew from his home in Chicago to Washington – hoping to spend time with his big brother who was living in the US at the time.

Malik, at the time, was identified as Roy before he converted to Islam and adopted his current name.

Barack writes, “One day we had called him up just to say hello. He had seemed happy to hear from us, his voice deep and unruffled, as if we had talked only yesterday. His job, his wife, his new life in America-everything was “lovely,”….The word rolled out of him slowly, the syllables drawn out. “Looove-leee.” A visit from me would be “fan-taaas-tic.” Staying with him and his wife would be “nooo prooob-lem.”

However, when the younger Obama finally landed in Washington, his brother was nowhere to be seen.

“As I searched the emptying gate at National, Roy was nowhere to be found. I called his house and he answered, sounding apologetic. ‘Listen, brother-you think maybe you can stay in a hotel tonight?’ “Why? Is something wrong?” ‘Nothing serious. It’s just, well, me and the wife, we had a little argument. So having you here tonight might not be so good, you understand?’

“Sure. I-” ‘You call me when you find a hotel, okay? We’ll meet tonight and have dinner. I’ll pick you up at eight.’ I checked into the cheapest room I could find and waited”.