As the curtains came down on the just-concluded U.S. presidential election, residents of Kogelo, the hometown of President Barack Obama’s father, in Siaya County, Kenya, held a mock election, where the Democratic Party nominee, Hillary Clinton, won by a landslide.
Of the 94 votes cast on Tuesday, Clinton received 82 votes while her Republican Party rival Donald Trump got 11 votes and one vote was split.
“Trump is doomed to lose because he has been in the forefront of intimidating [others] by uttering provocative statements. We are even worried that he will deport all Muslims from the country if he is chosen,” 45-year-old Kevin Rajula told the Daily Nation.
Development Projects at Stake
Kogelo residents expressed their support for Clinton, saying she would complete the development projects initiated by the outgoing President Obama in the region.
Through his grandmother, Mama Sarah Obama, President Obama is running several community projects in Kogelo, including a school called “Senator Barack Obama” and the renovation of a Kogelo dispensary.
“We hope that when Clinton gets to power, being his [President Obama] favorite candidate, she will continue with his projects,” Martin Ouma, a local, said.
Obama’s grandmother did not attend the mock election, because she said she was not ready.
Deep Disappointment
Hours after they humorously voted for Hillary Clinton in their mock election, the residents of Kogelo were shocked and disappointed by the unexpected Trump victory.
Speaking to The Star on Wednesday, the unhappy residents expressed their misgivings about Trump’s presidency, saying the development they have been enjoying in the area since Obama became president may be cut short.
Faith Owino, a resident of the area, said Clinton’s loss was a big blow to women as they hoped to draw inspiration from her to run for elective positions that have, for so long, been male-dominated.
Others asked Trump to reconsider his stance on immigration and continue supporting Africa and development projects started by his predecessor.
Speaking to journalists at his residence in Nairobi, the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec welcomed Trump’s victory, though, saying it doesn’t matter who won the election as the main agenda would be to unite all Americans.
In fact, despite Trump’s infamous stances that he will cut off support to the international community, Godec asserted that the United States will continue to support Kenya in many areas, including security.
