In a vibrant Nairobi community center, American citizens living in Kenya gathered with palpable excitement early Wednesday to watch the U.S. election results unfold. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as expatriates shared snacks and stories, their eyes glued to screens displaying real-time updates.
As the results of the U.S elections trickled in, a mix of American citizens and local Kenyan friends anxiously monitored the results.
Robyn Emerson, an American expatriate in Nairobi and chairperson of Democrats Abroad Kenya, which organized the event, said all American citizens were invited to the event, regardless of the party they support.
“American voters have come to a central place so that we can be together and watch the election come in so that we can really celebrate the right to vote,” Emerson said. “That we have done our part; we participated in a democratic process. And watching how the different states are coming in, and the results that are there.”
Bentley Wilson, an independent voter from the western state of Utah, agreed.
“It’s important for us to see each other as one country. And no matter whether we go for a certain party, it’s important for us to come together because it’s our country’s significance that’s at stake,” Wilson said. “So, we better come together. I like coming together no matter whether I’m leaning one side or another, to come together with citizens of my country to support the cause of … choosing an elected official.”
The Democrats Abroad Kenyan chapter estimates that approximately 30,000 American expatriates reside in the country.
Tom Wolf, an American researcher based in Nairobi, said most expatriates are keen to engage in the election process back home.
“They are well educated people … or they wouldn’t be allowed to stay in Kenya, they wouldn’t have jobs here,” Wolf said. “Whether they are diplomats or businesspeople, or with NGOs. So, they tend to be of higher education levels than the averages in their home countries. And we all know from studies of voting that people with higher education levels are more likely to vote.”
Lisa Maroni, a native of Detroit, said the event provided her with a special opportunity to interact with fellow citizens.
“I’m so grateful for the community in Kenya. I think it’s really special. I’ve lived in other countries and never had such an opportunity to spend time with other Americans and friends,” she said. “There are some allies from other countries here who are interested in what’s happening in the country, and I’m just very grateful to have somewhere to share that experience.”
Given that the event was organized by Democratic Party supporters, the early morning excitement began to dissipate as it became clear that their candidate, Kamala Harris, was losing to the Republican, former president Donald Trump.
Wilson, a Harris supporter, was among the disappointed people.
“I was really hopeful that we would vote the first U.S. woman and woman of color president this year,” Wilson said.
Disappointed in the results, most of the participants started leaving the event and it ended earlier than scheduled.
