Donald Trump Wins US Election: What Gachagua & Kenyan Politicians Are Saying
The race for the top seat was always going to be a battle between Republican Trump and Harris - a Democrat who is also enjoying commendable support in a race that looked like it would go down to the wire.
Marvin Chege 
UPDATE 1.51 PM: Donald Trump has been elected 47th President of the United States (US).
The Associated Press (AP) projected just after 1.30 pm Kenyan time on Wednesday, November 6, defeating Kamala Harris in a stunning comeback. AP reported that Trump clinched victory with 277 votes compared to Kamala's 224.
Donald John Trump is on the verge of sealing a return to the White House for the first time since his first term from 2016 to 2020 after taking an early lead against incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris in what has been an intense 2024 United States of America (USA) presidential election.
The race for the top seat was always going to be a battle between Republican Trump and Harris - a Democrat who is also enjoying commendable support in a race that looked like it would go down to the wire.
At the time of publishing this story, the numbers had heavily favoured Trump and with 267 electoral college votes, he needs just three more to get to the 270 mark required to win the presidential election. Kamala on her part amassed 224 votes and even a miracle is unlikely at this point.
Despite no prominent media house calling the election yet, Trump who spoke in Florida on Wednesday morning, November 6, thanked the Americans for taking to the ballot to elect him as president. "I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honour of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president," Trump remarked.
Live forecast of the 2024 US elections. /NEW YORK TIMES
He added," This was, I believe, one of the greatest political movements of all time and now it’s going to reach a new level of importance because we’re going to help our country heal. Our country needs to help, we are going to fix our borders and fix everything about our country."
Globally, world leaders such as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have already congratulated the projected winner. In Kenya, political leaders are monitoring the polls with meticulous precision, knowing very well the implications for Kenya whoever wins the poll.
We take a look at what they said below:
Ndindi Nyoro
The Kiharu MP is a strong affiliate of President William Ruto's regime and has been touted as a potential future Deputy President. Nyoro has been a Trump supporter and he took to his social media to lead in the early congratulatory messages for the Republican.
"Congratulations President Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th. Republican policies have always been better for Africa and the Global South. The Global Economy will definitely be better with imminent monetary easing under Trump," Nyoro said, adding "Hongera USA. We are African and Africa is our Business."
Kalonzo Musyoka
The Wiper Party leader also congratulated Donald Trump, whose victory is a matter of 'when', not 'if'. Kalonzo, who is angling towards becoming a self-styled opposition leader in Kenya, congratulated Trump, with a message to Kenya's electoral body IEBC.
"I extend my congratulations to President-Elect Donald Trump on your election as 47th President of the United States of America," Kalonzo's statement read.
"Americans have placed their trust in your ideas and leadership, as evidenced by the outcomes of the electoral college and popular vote. Over 150 million Americans voted in the historic November 5 election, and their votes were counted, tallied and announced in less than 24 hours. I believe Kenya, and in particular the IEBC can learn from the United States about how to conduct a free, fair, and credible election. I wish you every success and look forward to working with you."
Esther Passaris
The Nairobi Woman representative is a strong advocate for women's leadership and has publicly thrown her weight behind Kamala Harris. When the election process began on Tuesday, Passaris took to her social media to declare her support, saying: "Our prayers are with Kamala Harris for running one of the most vibrant issue-based campaigns ever. It’s just a matter of hour. Godspeed from the Continent of Africa."
Babu Owino
The Embakasi East Member of Parliament has declared not once but multiple times that he eventually wishes to run for Presidency in Kenya. On Wednesday, Babu congratulated Trump for an early victory, while also aiming a dig at an unnamed political rival.
"Congratulations to Donald Trump for winning US elections. This is how I will beat my unworthy opponent in 2027," the outspoken ODM legislator said on X.
Anne Waiguru
The Kirinyaga County Governor congratulated Donald Trump through her social media whilst also hailing Kamala Harris for being a worthy candidate in the Presidential polls.
"Congratulations President Donald Trump on your election as the 47th President of the United States. I wish you success as you lead the nation forward," Waiguru wrote, adding "To Vice President Kamala Harris, you ran an impressive campaign and fought the good fight. Your strength and resilience inspire women worldwide—you’ve made history and continue to blaze trails for future generations. Wishing America unity, progress, and all the best in the years ahead."
Mike Sonko
Mike Sonko, the former Nairobi governor, was also full of praise for Donald Trump, hailing the Republican as a candidate who overcame odds to win a second US Presidential election.
"Congratulations once again to the President who had faced impeachment and emerged victorious, Donald Trump," Sonko posted, adding that Kamala would "live to fight another day."
Oscar Sudi
Another ally of President Ruto, the Kapseret Constituency Member of Parliament took to his social media to congratulate Trump, albeit with a sly dig at his political adversaries.
"Congratulations, President Donald Trump, on your resounding victory. A leader like me prefers actions over words, not just grandiose speeches filled with empty rhetoric," the outspoken lawmaker, who led calls to impeach former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, said.
Irungu Kang'ata
The Murang'a senator shared a short concise statement on the state of the US polls, saying "It was obvious Donald Trump would win."
Ababu Namwamba
The former Sports Cabinet Secretary also emphatically congratulated Trump on victory on Wednesday, saying "Congratulations President-elect Donald John Trump, the 45th and 47th. Stunning typhoon, this triumph! May the world know peace, shared prosperity, and moral values."
Samson Cherargei
The Nandi County Senator took a different approach while tipping Donald Trump to win the US elections, appearing to claim that Kenya would be directly affected by the Republicans' win amid the country's ties with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' administration.
"Donald J Trump is becoming the 47th President of the United States of America. Trump had 277 Electoral votes against Harris's 226 electoral votes. As Republicans take control of the Senate in the USA. A major shift on the foreign policy especially to the African continent," the Senator remarked online.
Graphic of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. /VIRAL TEA KE
Rigathi Gachagua
We saved the best for last. The former Deputy President termed Trump's victory a 'comeback', which would make for hilarious reading given that he was impeached not too long ago by Parliament as the second in command.
"Congratulations President Donald Trump, for one of the greatest political come-backs of our generation. Your victory is clear proof that resilience and a never-say-die attitude will always TRUMP obstacles on the path to your destiny. God Bless You. God Bless America," he wrote.
