Obama frenzy: Television decoders come in handy for Kenyans

For most Kenyans, seeing US President Barack Obama face to face would have brought a feeling of belonging. However, the son of Kogelo cannot tour every corner of the nation.

On the flip side, there is a happy lot cashing in on the Obama tour. These are businesses selling digital set-top boxes (decoders). It is the moment that most television sets that had gathered dust are dusted and tested.

And Kisumu is not left out in this frenzy. According to Lenis Anyango a Go-TV sales representative, there has been steep rise in demand for digital set top boxes owing to Obama's visit.

"Most customers buy decoders because they want to see President Obama who is coming to Kenya," said Anyango.

She, however, adds that the sales could have even soared further if the US President visited his father's birthplace in Kogelo, Siaya County. The sentiments are also echoed by Clinton Otieno from Star Times who says since the announcement of the intended visit by President Obama they make an average of 30 successful referrals daily.

Elsewhere along Oginga Odinga Street, Pauline Omondi, a sales representative from Multichoice, goes about explaining to a client, Lucy Auma, how a decoder is installed.

"My TV set has just been idle since the digital switch-off but now that Obama is here my children are anxious to see him," she says.

"Sasa nitamwona Obama. (I'll now be able to watch Obama)," says John Obilo as he fixes a new aerial at his home in Arina estate.