Nairobi- Barack Obama's African relatives will take a front seat when their most famous family member takes his oath as 44th president of the United States in Washington next Tuesday.

His 87-year-old grandmother Sarah Obama, who raised Obama's deceased father, was among several relatives who travelled from her home in Kenya to Washington on Friday. Further members of the large clan - Obama's father had 8 siblings and four wives - are expected over the weekend.

Grandmother Sarah had already witnessed Obama's swearing in as senator in 2005 and still remembers the US capital with mixed feelings: "Much too cold!"

Meanwhile, Maggie Obama, one of Obama's aunts and an Anglican pastor, is in the middle of packing for the trip: warm clothes, ticket ... for Saturday she has planned a final visit to the hairdressers, where she is set to receive an elaborate braided hairdo in preparation for the big day in Washington.

"I am so excited," she says. She had followed Obama's election in Kogelo, the family's home village, in which much has changed since the election of their famous descendant.

The village now has electricity supply lines, and the road between Kogelo and the neighboring town Siaya is being fixed: Maybe the US president is going to visit here at some point, the residents are hoping.

Even Kenyans who have no link to Obama are excited about the prospect of a US president with Kenyan roots. Street vendors in Nairobi and other towns across the country have been selling US flags and Obama portraits for weeks.

In Nairobi's Biashara Street, fabrics with Obama portraits are sold alongside the Kikoys and Kangas - the traditional wrap skirts and cloths.

"I have sold 600 since December and have just ordered another 2000 Obama Kangas," an Indian shopowner says while he carefully folds up one of the cloths.

"Hongera Barack Obama. Obama chaguo la Mungu" - Congratulations, Barack Obama. Obama, the will of God - says the print underneath Obama's picture on the fabric.

The shopowner is just worried about one thing: "The producers are afraid they may have shortages."

Whether Obama Kangas will also grace the rooms of the White House in Washington remains to be seen. However, there will certainly be a series of inauguration presents from Africa, Kenyan newspapers have reported.

Grandmother Sarah will bring her grandson one of the traditional three-legged stools, that are given the tribal elders of the Luo people they belong to. A warrior shield and a traditional fly whisk made from goats' hair are also part of her luggage.

Only the spear she had to leave at home: It's much too bellicose an item for the tight security restrictions of the airline that is taking her to the US. (dpa)