Exclusive: President's aunt ends her silence

Zeituni Onyango first came into the national spotlight when her nephew was in the final stretch of his run for the presidency.

In 2004, a judge denied Onyango's request for political asylum, and ordered her return to Kenya. In 2008, shortly before the election, it was discovered that Onyango had defied those orders, and continued to live in Boston.

She has kept a low profile since her story broke, and some worried it could hurt Barack Obama's chance to win the White House. But recently, she decided to open up about her life, and famous nephew to me in her first television interview.

Onyango's immigration lawyer is in Cleveland, and she has come here often from Boston, staying with family.

She agreed to meet with me in an undisclosed location. Onyango has a quiet, unassuming presence. I sensed her hesitation to trust a reporter, even though her Cleveland relatives have told her I would be objective and treat her fairly.

The 57 year old Kenyan-born aunt of President Barack Obama quickly flashes a smile, when you mention his name. "Actually, it's phenomenal. I love my nephew and always pray for him," Onyango says.

She clutches a double strand of costume pearls she said were a gift from her nephew when he visited his family in Kenya in 1987. He also gave her a book: The Constitution of the United States.

Onyango proudly remembers attending the swearing in ceremony with her mother, Sarah Obama, the President's paternal grandmother in 2005, as Barack became a U.S. senator. Home video shows them both in full African dress at a celebration party shortly afterwards.

She talks about the current controversy over the President Obama's citizenship.

"Barack was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Ann (Obama's mother) never stepped foot on Kenyan soil," Onyango says defiantly.

The next time Onyango would see her nephew, was at a fundraiser in Massachusetts, where he autographed his latest book for her.

Onyango is very protective of her nephew. She won't say whether she's spoken to him since her deportation troubles, but says her problems are her own.

"Right now with this controversy, I don't want to disturb him because he's got a big job to do. I'm not an issue. I am not Barack Obama's daughter. I am not Barack Obama's wife. I am not Barack Obama's constituent. I'm Barack Obama's auntie. So anything happening to Barack Obama, I should not be included," Onyango says.

And on the advice of her attorneys she will say little about the case. "That depends on the judge. I can't talk about it."

Onyango is a computer programmer, who first came to the United States in 2000. Today she is ill, and uses a cane to help her get around. But her spirits are lifted when she talks of the President Obama's father, her late brother.

"He told me on his death bed that one day Barack would lift up the Obama name to the world," Onyango says.

Our talk turns to her time in Cleveland, as she awaits her hearing. She has nothing but praise for this city, and place that offers her privacy. "I love Cleveland. It is beautiful and clean," Onyango says.

She believes her case will be settled and she will live for the rest of her life, in the United States. Her hearing is set for early next year.