Kenyans woke up in a fever of anticipation that the most powerful man on earth could soon be Barack Obama.
In a printing shop in Kisumu, the capital of Senator Obama's ancestral home province in Kenya, Jumah George had no doubts about the election result even before the polls opened.
He had brought in a rugby shirt to have Mr Obama's image imposed on it. "I don't want it to say 'for president', I want it to be 'president'," he said.
"I'm optimistic. The world right now is interested in change. Everybody wants change and I believe Barack will bring change. He will benefit the whole world.
"Our focus is not material benefits but the change he can bring in each and every person, the attitude. That's what's inspiring about him."
Mr Obama's father and namesake grew up in Nyangoma Kogelo, a small village in Nyanza province, and the election has created huge excitement.
All the country's main newspapers splashed on the vote today, with the Daily Nation declaring it "Obama's defining moment", and the Standard offering a "16-page Obama Magic Souvenir pullout".
To Kenyans, Mr Obama's impressive rhetorical skills have bolstered his appeal almost as much as his father's nationality.
Samuel Obambo, 25, a sales executive from Siaya, the Obamas' home district, wore an Obama T-shirt and said: "He's a good man, he's able, he's a family man, he shows love to everybody.
"It will be good because tourists will come, investors, whatever. We are going to have a lot of changes in Kenya, especially in Kisumu."
Milka Achieng, 40, a street hawker, added: "He's got a good vision and he loves all, both poor and rich men."
The streets of Kisumu, lined with stalls selling cheap clothing and household goods, are thousands of miles and a world away from Washington, and the Obama story has a special resonance.
"For a black man to make it seemed impossible," said Lucas Ooko, 35, a newspaper vendor, who is also from Siaya district. "It's a miracle whose time has come and nobody can stop it now." >>> By Sebastien Berger in Kisumu | November 4, 2008
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