Qaeda affiliate threatens Obama's 'granny'

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An al-Qaeda affiliate has issued personal threat against US President Barack Obama's step-grandmother, who lives in Kenya, even as the authorities in the African country have stepped up her security after the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Kenyan authorities have tightened security around Sarah Obama, 88, after al Shabaab, the Somalia-based branch of al-Qaeda, threatened her life.

"We received reports of plans to attack the home of Mama Sarah Obama and we immediately put in place adequate security measure," a Kenyan police official Stephen Cheteka was quoted as saying by the Africa Review.

However, Obama's 'granny', who lives in village Nyang'oma Kogelo, located near western Kenyan city Kisumu, said heightened security has not affected her movement.

"My life has not been affected in any way... It has not restricted my movement. If the government has decided to bring more security personnel, we are OK with it," she was quoted as saying by the ABC News.

A police official said enough personnel has been added "to patrol the entire village."

Sarah Obama is the third wife of Obama's paternal grandfather. According to a report Obama met his granny when he went to Kenya for the first time at the age of 27.

He has visited twice since then and granny has also come to the US for two times, but they still speak through an interpreter. Grandma Obama reportedly has a poster for his first Senatorial election campaign, on which he had written "Habariuku Mama Sarah", which is Swahili for - 'Hello Granny Sarah'.