The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Kenyan Politics

Feb 3, 2018

Screenshots of the Twitter profiles of Kenyan presidential candidates, Uhuru Kenyatta and Ralia Odinga, suggesting the country has two presidents. The photos were made on January 30 2018, after Kenya opposition leader, Ralia Odinga's "mock inauguration". Candidate Odinga has since edited his profile, deleting his claims to Kenya's presidency.THE REPUBLIC

Kenya’s incumbent president, Uhuru Kenyatta, was recently sworn in as head of state, marking an end to a controversial and highly contested election period that spanned from August to November 2017. Elections in Kenya, as in many other African countries, are a highly emotive and divisive period. Businesses close, schools shut down, and, collectively, society holds its breath, exhaling only after the results are announced and the next government determined.

After the 2017 elections, many Kenyans reported relief at their return to normalcy from what had been a turbulent time. However, months later, the country remains divided; in August 2017, the National Police Service was criticized for using disproportionate force in quelling protests particularly in opposition stronghold regions. There were, also, rumours of tribal militia being used to settle ethnic scores through the police force. Additionally, the national opposition party, the National Super Alliance (NASA), declared its transition from a national party to a “national resistance movement” shortly after the annulment of the elections by the Supreme Court, citing authoritarian tendencies from the government and a lack of adequate reforms by the electoral commission. NASA has since rejected the results of the second election and, on the 30th of January, carried out a “mock inauguration” of its own presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, placing the country in a heightened state of tension.

While the future of Kenyan politics seems uncertain, the general election was not all doom and gloom. Electoral pluralism, voter enthusiasm and judicial autonomy were all positive highlights during the elections. Overall analysis of Kenya’s 2017 elections, therefore, requires a balanced approach.

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About the Author

Edwin Chege

is a graduate of African Studies and International Development.

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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Kenyan Politics