Since Barack Obama became president, a good number of Kenyans think they have a stake in whatever happens in the US. Some are so passionate that the outcome of the recent election that saw Republican Donald Trump trounce Democrat Hillary Clinton has affected them because ‘our son Obama’ supported the former secretary of state.
Kenyans are unhappy Trump won because he announced he will deport all illegal immigrants if he becomes president and these immigrants include our friends and relatives who sneaked into the US.
The ongoing protests in several states has strengthened the notion Trump was not the popular candidate. Some of the Kenyans hurt by his victory cite Trump’s habit of using unprintable epithets on women and blacks as some of the reasons he shouldn’t be president.
Some Kogelo residents even held mock elections and handed Clinton the victory because she had Obama’s backing. However, I will just consider this our usual behaviour of poking our noses where they do not belong.
On the contrary, we have a lot to learn from the US election. They only have two major political parties, which compete based on their distinct ideologies unlike in Kenya where even the ruling party may not know what it stands for.
American’s respect the law and being champions of human rights, it is unlikely that Trump will wake up one morning and deport immigrants. Actually, Africa stands to benefit from the Trump presidency than of his predecessors’.
For example, over-protection of industries has led to trade imbalance and Africa bears the brunt. Furthermore, free trade and movement of capital which Trump supports will be a big win for Kenya. What is needed is for African countries to seize the opportunity and exploit the existing trade pacts such as Agoa, market its products and assert their position in the new dispensation.
Clinton’s defeat did not come as a surprise because she was unpopular. The Wikileaks on some atrocities committed while she was secretary of state complicated her situation. This includes the killing of Libyan leader Muarmar Gaddaffi, which led to the near-collapse of the oil-rich country’s economy.
Meanwhile, Syria continues to burn as the super power, US, watches. Further, the Clintons are said to own an arms factory which could have had a bearing on the war in Libya, Syria and Egypt, just to create a market for the artillery.
Most media have devoted space to misrepresent Trump. However, it is time we get to know this man. Trump will inject in new energy in ensuring human rights are respected not just in America, but in the world, especially because he has no baggage from China or Russia which Clinton had to contend with.
Trump will clean up the rotten system since the US presidency has executive powers which have been deleted in the Kenyan constitution. The US president appoints the AG, CJ as well as Air Force, Army and Navy commanders without vetting.
Our constitution makes it mandatory that the Inspector General of Police must also be vetted, even though this has sometimes become an avenue for settling scores.
Trump has vowed to deport about 11 million illegal immigrants and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that because they should have followed the right procedure to enter the country.
Trump may also push the Congress to introduce an American-worker-first element meaning immigrants may be denied job opportunities. Companies in the Silicon valley which benefit from workers who accept low wages will also post losses but leave the job market streamlined. All said and done, let’s give Trump a chance to prove himself, right or wrong.
Kamichore Mutindira
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