Celebrity President Obama Has Emotional Reunion with His Sister in Kenya The president visited with his half-sister sister Auma Obama and step-grandmother Sarah Obama on Friday By Sheila Cosgrove Baylis Sheila Cosgrove Baylis Sheila Baylis is Senior News Editor for PEOPLE's Health vertical; she contributes to print features and directs the digital Health team on stories ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to body image and women's health. She has a Master's Degree in Gender Studies. People Editorial Guidelines Published on July 24, 2015 06:00 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Evan Vucci/AP President Barack Obama arrived in Kenya on Friday to a warm welcome from family members. The president met up with his half-sister Auma Obama, and his step-grandmother on his father’s side, Sarah Obama. Auma was one of the first people to greet the president when he stepped off the plane, according to ABC News. The pair embraced with wide smiles on their faces. This is the first trip back to Kenya for the president since 2006, when he visited his father’s birthplace, Kogelo, in 2006 as a U.S. Senator. This is the first time a sitting U.S. president has visited Kenya, or Ethiopia, where Obama will travel on Sunday.