As the United States presidential election looms, it's not just polls in the US that are putting Democratic candidate Barack Obama in the lead.

A witch doctor in Kogelo, western Kenya, where Obama's father grew up, on Saturday also predicted victory for the Democrat.

John Radima, who lives not far from the home of Obama's grandmother in Kogelo, threw stones, bones and shells on the ground and "read" them.

The message was that Obama will be the winner in the November 4 election.

Meanwhile, the press began to set up camp outside Obama's grandmother's home ahead of Tuesday's historic US election.

Obama has become quite a celebrity in Kenya, where a popular song and a musical have been released in his honour.