Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga claims to be Barack Obama's cousin.  His claim is both true and false.  It's false in the sense that they aren't cousins as we consider someone a cousin, by blood.  However, it is true in the Kenyan tribal tradition, because both their fathers are from the Luo tribe.

Codel Obama is the official name of the trip the young senator made to Kenya in 2006.  Due to his African heritage, Obama was treated like a "head of state".  During his trip, Obama campaigned significantly for Raila Odinga. In fact, his partisan support for Odinga was so transparent, Kenyan Government spokesman, Alfred Matua, complained of political posturing to aid Odinga's election chances stating:

"It is very clear that the senator has been used as a puppet to perpetuate opposition politics ...we earlier thought he was mature in his assessment of Kenyan and African politics. We forgive him because it is his first time in the Senate and he is yet to mature into understanding issues of foreign policy."

Raila Odinga eventually lost the election, and riots and violence broke out which some say was planned.  Odinga was soon made Prime Minister.

Odinga is very wealthy, and was included on a list called "The Golden Chain" seized in Bosnia during a terrorist raid.  In seeking election, Odinga made a number of promises to special interest groups.  One in particular, is the Islamic extremists, who Odinga promised Sharia Law.  This causes great concern for the United States, because Kenya is currently an important ally in the War on Terror.

Please watch the following video about Obama and the man he campaigned for in Kenya.  Thanks to Politicalpyro for creating this excellent resource!