Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Obama's half-brother arrested in Nairobi on drugs charge

Tom Odula
Saturday 31 January 2009 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Kenyan half-brother of President Barack Obama was arrested yesterday for alleged possession of marijuana near his home in a Nairobi shantytown.

George Obama, 24, had one joint in his possession, said Joshua Omokulongolo, the police chief in the area. "He is not a drug pedlar," said Mr Omokulongolo. "But it's illegal; it's a banned substance."

Mr Obama is due to appear in court tomorrow. He and the President have the same father, who died in a car crash in 1982. Last year, George told Vanity Fair that he had met Barack only twice: when he was five and when the future president visited East Africa in 2006. The magazine said he lived in a shack and earned a dollar a day, but Mr Obama called such reports insulting, saying: "I'm proud of how I live."

The Kenyan, who lives with his extended family in the tough area of Huruma, said he was studying to be a mechanic. George is the youngest of Barack Obama Snr's seven children and was born six months before his father died.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in