His father would be proud, says stepmother

Kezia Obama, from Bracknell, who is in the VIP enclosure for the day's celebrations, told the Standard her stepson took time out of his busy schedule to talk to his family, who have travelled thousands of miles to be with him on the biggest day of his life.

The 66-year-old, who is in Washington DC with her children, her grandchildren, mother-in-law and brother-in-law, all of whom have travelled from Kenya for the event, said Barack was "his usual relaxed self" but seemed "emotional" before he was due to make his inaugural address. Speaking from her hotel just minutes away from the White House, Mrs Obama said: "It is a great honour to be here. I thank God for this gift to the family and to Barack. I'm so excited to be seeing him on this, the most important day of his life."

The pensioner, who lives in a council house and has had a traditional African outfit made in Tanzania for the big day, added: "I can't believe things have turned out this way. It is beyond expectation."

Mrs Obama was married to the president's father, also named Barack, when they lived in their homeland of Kenya. He went on to marry two more women, Mr Obama's mother Ann Dunham - an American he met during a scholarship to the United States - and an American teacher called Ruth Nidesand. He eventually went back to his first wife, with whom he had four children, and died in 1982. Mrs Obama said: "I wish his father could see him today. He would be proud."

The grandmother of 10, who is the new face of Gala Bingo, launching her own online competition, added: "Barack will make a very good president. Changes have already happened and people all over the world are celebrating."

Mr Obama's 86-year-old paternal grandmother Sarah travelled from the family's ancestral home in Kogelo, western Kenya, along with his siblings Abongo, 51, Auma, 49, Abo, 40, and Ben, 38, to be in Washington today. She brought gifts for her grandson - a traditional three-legged stool, a fly-whisk and a shield, which are symbols of leadership. "I wanted to give him a spear too, but I was told that due to security reasons, I could not board a plane with it," she said.

The extended Obama family were joined by well-wishers from Kogelo, who had saved up for months to pay for air fares and hotels so they could witness the historic occasion.

Meanwhile, the village of 5,000 became one big carnival as people in traditional dress took to the streets with celebrations starting at dawn. Revellers danced on dirt roads and fields while others played drums and sang traditional songs.

Some sacrificed animals to mark the day - a traditional African ritual to celebrate a special occasion.