Protect us from fans and criminals, say Obama's family

BARACK Obama's family fear for their safety following the president-elect's victory, they told the Evening Standard today.

Since last week, his relatives have been mobbed by fans and burgled.

As Mr Obama's step-mother Kezia, who lives in Bracknell, Berkshire, arrived home from her native Kenya, the family demanded round-the- clock protection.

Abongo Obama, who had the same father as Barack, said: "Just one day after my brother won the election we were robbed. Someone came into our home, took our cellphones, clothes and other valuables. We are completely exposed. We are worried for our safety and no one is protecting us."

The 51-year-old accountant, who lives in Washington DC, is the eldest of Mr Obama's siblings. He was speaking from the family's ancestral home in western Kenya, where three others - Auma, 48, Abo, 40, and Ben, 36 - live. Mother Kezia Obama, 65, arrives back in Britain on Friday.

Mr Obama said: "My mother is extremely worried about returning to Berkshire. She is the US president's step-mother yet has no security around her home.

"Our family home has been mobbed. We have seen the chief of police in Kenya and they promised us security guards, but we have seen nothing. I am not returning to the US and leaving my sister and brothers until I know they are safe."

The father-of-eight added: "I spoke to my brother yesterday. He is excited about taking over the White House. He is concentrating on setting up his administration and choosing the direction he wants America to head towards. I don't want to bother him about our worries."