Advertisement

Kenyan man offers 50 cows, 70 sheep and 30 goats for Malia Obama's hand in marriage

Kiprono said he has been interested in Malia Obama, 16, since 2008 and has not dated anyone since.

By Ben Hooper
President Barack Obama holds hands with his daughter Malia as the First Family returns to the White House following a holiday vacation to Hawaii. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
President Barack Obama holds hands with his daughter Malia as the First Family returns to the White House following a holiday vacation to Hawaii. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 27 (UPI) -- A Kenyan lawyer is offering President Barack Obama 50 cows, 70 sheep and 30 goats in exchange for first daughter Malia Obama's hand in marriage.

The Nairobi lawyer, who identified himself as Kiprono, said he hopes to meet with the U.S. president during his scheduled visit to Kenya in July to discuss the possibility of bartering the farm animals for the hand of his 16-year-old daughter, who was dubbed one of Time magazine's most influential teens of 2014.

Advertisement

Kiprono said he has been interested in Malia since Obama's first presidential campaign, when the girl was only 10.

"I got interested in her in 2008. As a matter of fact, I haven't dated anyone since and promise to be faithful to her. I have shared this with my family and they are willing to help me raise the bride price," Kiprono told newspaper The Nairobian.

"People might say I am after the family's money, which is not the case. My love is real," he said. "I am currently drafting a letter to Obama asking him to please have Malia accompany him for this trip. I hope the embassy will pass the letter to him. I will hand it over to the U.S. ambassador with whom we have interacted several times."

Advertisement

The lawyer said his proposal to Malia would be "unique with a twist."

"If my request is granted, I will not resort to the cliche of popping champagne. Instead, I will surprise her with mursik, the traditional Kalenjin sour milk. As an indication that she is my queen, I will tie sinendet, which is a sacred plant, around her head. I will propose to her on a popular hill in Bureti near my father's land where leaders and warriors are usually crowned. The place is called Kapkatet, which means 'victory.'"

Kiprono said Malia would not be living a life of luxury if she agrees to his proposal.

"Ours will be a simple life. I will teach Malia how to milk a cow, cook ugali and prepare mursik like any other Kalenjin woman," he said.

Latest Headlines