Obama's nobel peace prize celebrated in Kenya

President Mwai Kibaki has congratulated U.S. President Barack Obama on being declared winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

In a statement released from State House Nairobi Friday afternoon, President Kibaki said the award was a fitting tribute to the U.S. President for his efforts in initiating dialogue aimed at bringing about sustainable peace in various parts of the world.

‘On behalf of the government and the people of Kenya, I take this opportunity to congratulate you on being declared winner of the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. The award is indeed another milestone in your illustrious public career and recognition of the contribution you are making to the well being of humanity," said President Kibaki.

President Kibaki said he was confident that President Obama would use his new status as a Nobel peace prize winner to open new frontiers in international diplomacy.

‘I have no doubt that this award will give new impetus to your efforts to bring about lasting peace in areas where war has ravaged communities over long periods of time. I also encourage you to continue opening the avenues of dialogue in order to bring about a better understanding among the family of nations', said President Kibaki.

The President said that the government and the people of Kenya wished President Obama well in his new role as the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Meanwhile, Obama's family in Kenya say they were honoured by the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to their favourite son.

"It is an honour to the family... we are very happy that one of us has been honoured. We congratulate Barack," Said Obama, the president's step-brother, told AFP.

She said that the awarding of the prize to Obama "touches many people" because the US president represents "people from different walks of life."

Sarah was the third wife of Obama's paternal grandfather, Hussein Onyango Obama. Although not a blood relation, Obama often refers to her as his grandmother.

Obama was honoured "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," the head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Thorbjoern Jagland said in Oslo.