A report by TIFA Research has revealed that the majority of Kenyans are convinced that Donald Trump's presidency will bring more harm than good to Kenya.
The report released on Wednesday, May 28, shows that 50 per cent of Kenyans believe that the US President's administration will hurt Kenya.
However, on the flip side, 24 per cent of Kenyans are still optimistic that Trump's presidency will bring positive impacts to Kenya.
On the other hand, 18 per cent of Kenyans believe that the American president will make no difference in Kenya, while the remaining 8 per cent gave no opinion or were not sure.
"The perceived or expected impact of the Trump presidency on Kenya is one issue about which there is almost no contrast in the proportions of those who do/do not support the Broad Based Government, with this agreed view being overwhelmingly negative; even nearly one-fifth of each group do not expect this new American reality to affect Kenya one way or the other," TIFA said.
TIFA has, however, noted that the US still holds its top position as a country outside of Eastern Africa that is most important for Kenya’s economic and political development.
"Still, the US’s similar top position in the ‘negative’ list (countries considered ‘the biggest threat to Kenya’s economic and political development’, with China in second place in both lists) rather dilutes whatever satisfaction US officials might take from the former result," TIFA said.
Since assuming office in January, President Trump has implemented measures, such as imposing tariffs and cutting critical funding, that threaten not only Kenya but also vital sectors across Africa, including health and exports, and this trend shows no signs of stopping soon.
Just last week, the United States also threatened to revoke Kenya’s major non-North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) ally status, which was granted by former President Joe Biden last year.
The decision, which was hinted at by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, was due to the country's rising alliance with China, which is one of the greatest competitors to the United States.
If the US does this, it means that Kenya could lose its increased access to military support from the United States.
“Kenya plays a vital role in regional counterinsurgency and stability. But as our newest Major Non-NATO Ally, Kenya's ties with China are troubling,” Risch stated. "Widened diplomacy" with America's greatest competitor is not an alliance—it’s a risk for the US to assess,” he added.
