Members of Democrats Abroad in Kenya gathered in Nairobi’s Westlands area, eagerly awaiting the U.S. election results with hopes for a “blue” victory. However, their optimism quickly faded as it became clear that Donald Trump had triumphed in the race for the presidency.

For many, the outcome was met with disappointment and apprehension about what the next four years under a Trump administration might hold. Alexia Yun, a project manager with Democrats Abroad Kenya, shared her mixed feelings, saying, “I am a little disappointed, not as surprised as I was in 2016. A bit scared now about what is going to happen in the next four years and beyond, but not surprising though. Unfortunately.”

One of the major issues weighing on the minds of Democrats, particularly in Kenya, is the future of abortion rights. In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, restricting abortion access for millions of women across the country. With Trump’s re-election, many fear that women’s rights may be further limited.

Robin Emerson, the chairperson of Democrats Abroad in Kenya, voiced her concerns: “I am very concerned about what this possible new administration would do or what they would say about a woman’s body and a woman’s right on our reproductive system.”

Democrats Abroad is a global organization with 52 country committees aimed at supporting Americans living abroad, ensuring they have access to vote in U.S. elections, and amplifying their voices on issues like reproductive rights. For the Democrats in Kenya, this year’s election result is not just a political loss but a personal blow to their hopes for progress in women’s rights.

As the results settle, the sense of unease continues to linger among members in Kenya, with many uncertain about what lies ahead under the Trump administration.