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Could Malik Obama, Barack Obama's half-brother, ever get elected president of Kenya or any other powerful position within Kenya? He's an internationally known figure thanks to his powerful and famous younger brother (and nowadays because of his Twitter account). But it seems he has struggled in electoral politics, since he was apparently defeated by a wide margin when he ran for governor of his county in Kenya (he blamed voter fraud for his loss, but considering this is Kenya, he may have a point).

But Malik seems like a likeable guy, Twitter aside. He seems relatable. Is Malik really that less charismatic than Barack and incapable of inspiring voters? How far could Malik Obama get in politics in Kenya if he put his mind to it?

Now, Malik Obama has been prominent lately thanks to his upfront support of Donald Trump. How might a 2012 Donald Trump presidency affect a Malik Obama campaign in '12 or '13? I feel Malik's success is impossible without either Obama or Trump (or a similar figure) occupying the White House thanks to the attention it will give, including domestic attention in Kenya.

The current Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, is rather controversial thanks to his ICC-related issues. Malik Obama does not have that issue, but I think a friendship with a controversial figure like Trump will help transfer that controversy to Malik Obama. Politically, Malik will be conservative, but he will want to benefit Kenya in the most ways he can, since he believes Obama failed Kenya when he could've done more (this seems to lay at the root of Malik's thoughts on US politics). I don't know what that will mean in practice if Malik gets in charge of anything major.

So, could Malik Obama rise to high places in the Kenyan government, and succeed Kenyatta?
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