US President Donald Trump is unlikely to extend diplomatic courtesies to Kenya if the 2017 General Election turns violent, analysts say.
According to Mark Bellamy, a former US ambassador to Kenya, President Trump will not initiate mediation efforts witnessed in 2008 under the leadership of his predecessor President George Bush.
"There is no cavalry riding to the rescue — no Kofi Annan," he asserted, referring to the 2008 mediation efforts by the former United Nations (UN) Secretary General.
Mr Bellamy observes that the US and other donor States to Kenya are seemingly in a "dilemma" situation concerning the elections.
The former Ambassador notes that while the US would like to support efforts to prevent the occurrence of post-election violence, President Trump may not be "willing to do that at the expense of sanctifying what could be a seriously fraudulent election."
Mr Bellamy's sentiments were echoed by fellow panellist, Ms Lauren Blanchard, a researcher for the US Congress, who suggested that the international community is unlikely to act as effectively in 2017 as it did in 2008.
Ms Blanchard also noted efforts by the US Ambassador Robert Godec and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in assisting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct free and fair elections.
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