NAIROBI, Kenya (AP):

Bulls and goats have been slaughtered for the feast. Beer has been stockpiled. Movie screens and projectors were erected.

Across Kenya, neighbours engulfed in political violence only a year ago came together to celebrate the US presidential inauguration of Kenya's favorite son, Barack Obama.

Among the revelers will be Dr Joseph Osoo, who was shopping at a Nairobi market for goat meat for his inauguration party. Osoo, who runs a clinic in one of Kenya's biggest slums, recalled that at this time last year, he was stitching up machete wounds inflicted by rival party members in rioting that followed Kenya's disputed election.

Problems with ethnicity

"Our election in Kenya really had problems with ethnicity," he said. "America has shown that this doesn't have to be that big problem. ... Democracy can work."

The celebrations have helped bring together Kenyans from different ethnic groups who were drawn into the country's political violence last year.

Proud country

The struggling country of 38 million is proud to boast the birthplace of Obama's father and it is hard to exaggerate the enthusiasm Kenyans feel for America's new president.

The election of a black American president stands as a powerful symbol of unity on this continent, where many countries are still riven between competing ethnic groups and the older generations still remember the injustices of colonialism.

In the nearest city, Kisumu, a local Obama lookalike drove through the town in a honking convoy of cars, motorbikes and bicycles before he arrived at a local sports stadium, where he planned to deliver one of Obama's speeches. But the celebrations have not been without controversy. Kenyan papers reported a team of ministers had flown to America to watch the ceremonies. However, the ministers had no invitations, and would be watching the festivities from their hotel room televisions.