Kenyans are preparing a hero's welcome for US Senator Barack Obama, who is to make his first visit to his father's homeland since his 2004 election.

The road to his family village of Nyangoma Kogalo in western Kenya has been upgraded and local residents have been busy cutting the grass.

Pupils at a local school have been rehearsing a song to welcome him.

Mr Obama is the only black US Senator and is seen as a rising star of the Democratic party.

He is expected to arrive in Nairobi on Thursday, before travelling west at the weekend.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5281190.stm