Prayers said for Obama in Kenya, birthplace of his father

Lord, I'm going to spend this whole day in tears.

KISUMU, Kenya — Kenyans filled churches today to pray that Barack Obama becomes the first black American president as Africans organized all-night election parties in honor of a candidate who is wildly popular across this vast continent.

"Obamamania" is particularly strong in Kenya, where the Democratic candidate's late father was born about an hour's drive from the lakeside town of Kisumu. In Kogelo, where Obama's step-grandmother still lives, hordes of journalists gathered and police blocked access to the family's homestead.

"Tonight we are not going to sleep," said Valentine Wambi, 23, a student at the University of Nairobi. "It will be celebrations throughout."

Many Africans hope an Obama presidency would help the continent, the poorest in the world. Some are hoping for promises of more U.S. aid to Africa, while others bask in the glory of a successful black politician with African roots.