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Worldwide, Well-Wishers Mobilize for Inauguration

Kenyans gather in Kisumu, Kenya, Tuesday Jan. 20, 2009, to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. Across Kenya, neighbors engulfed in political violence only a year ago came together to celebrate the US presidential inauguration of Kenya's favorite son. The struggling country of 38 million is proud to boast the birthplace of Obama's father and it is hard to exaggerate the enthusiasm Kenyans feel for America's new president.(AP Photo/Riccardo Gangale)

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Worldwide, Well-Wishers Mobilize for Inauguration

By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Jan 20, 2009 at 11:45 AM CST

Story Updated: Jan 20, 2009 at 11:45 AM CST

LONDON (AP) - While an exuberant crowd is packing the National Mall in Washington, the inauguration of Barack Obama is being celebrated around the world.

In Kenya, feasts are being prepared and movie screens set up so neighbors can join together to watch the moment. A year after the country's own elections were marred by ethnic violence, one man says "America has shown" that ethnicity doesn't have to be a big problem. He adds that Kenyans are "very happy because their son is going to be the leader of America." Obama's late father was Kenyan.

In Indonesia, students from the school Obama attended as a boy have also been celebrating, as old classmates gather to watch his speech.

Meanwhile, caterers are preparing for black-tie balls in the capitals of Europe. And in the snow outside the United Nations complex in Vienna, Austria, someone has written "YES, WE CAN!" in giant block letters.

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