Women in Kisumu County are trooping to salons to have the trending “Obama” hairstyle ahead of US President’s visit to Kenya.

In the style, small portion of hair is joined with pieces of braids to form one long strand that runs from the tip at the forehead to the back of the head. It is then done repeatedly to form a style of about 20 or less depending on the sizes.

Plaiting the hair requires high skills as a stylist needs to firmly interlace pieces of braids with a client’s hair and keep adding small portions tactfully as they progress so as to appear like neat crotchets.

According to Cecilia Awino who runs The Strand salon in Kisumu’s Mega Plaza, more and more women started asking for the Obama lines two months ago after the announcement that President Barack Obama will be visiting the country for the Global Economic Forum.

“We receive an average of three clients everyday who plait Obama lines,” she said.

Ms Awino said the hairdo was named after the US leader when he became President in 2008.

“Generally, the style is liked because it makes one appear younger. It doesn’t require daily styling hence maintenance is easy. One only needs to spray it regularly. They also don’t smell since they have spaces for aeration,” she said.

According to Clarice Atieno, another salonist at Kisumu’s Lake Market, those wearing the style had reduced over the years, only to resurface with a bang after the announcement of Obama’s coming.

“Most customers had at some point ditched ‘Obama’ lines which they considered simple and monotonous. But it’s now the trending hairdo ahead of US President’s visit,” she said.

“You don’t need to be told Obama lines’ popularity has grown …just look at the women around. Lately, most ladies who make bookings at my salon prefer the hairdo,” she told Nation.

- Nation.co.ke