The Importance Of A Peaceful Presidential Election In Kenya

As Tuesday approaches, the world waits to see what will happen with the presidential election in Kenya. Not only is a peaceful election crucial for Kenya, but as the largest East African nation, its political stability will directly impact the surrounding countries as well.

Although eight candidates are vying for the presidency on August 8, CNN predicts that only two stand a real chance of winning, which includes the incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Odinga is running for president for the fourth time and has made claims that Kenyatta has rigged this election. However, Kenyatta and his deputy president have dismissed these claims.

To win the election outright, one of these men must get over 50% of the total votes, and 25% of the votes in half of Kenya’s 47 counties. As the median age in Kenya is estimated to be 19, and about 80% of the population is below 35 years old, both candidates are addressing the economy and targeting the youth vote.

According to CNN, poll results reveal that is will be a very tight race. With that said, if neither candidate wins outright, there will be a run-off election, which would be a first in Kenyan history. Further, if Kenyata does not win, he will be the first Kenyan president not to win reelection.

Moreover, Kenya first became a multi-party democratic system in 1992. According to Human Rights Watch, shortly before the 1992 election, the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD) emerged. From FORD, three separate parties emerged: FORD-Kenya, FORD-Asili, and the Democratic Party.

In addition, political parties were legalized and the process of voting by secret ballot was restored in 1991. In addition to these changes, the president’s tenure was limited to two five-year terms.

Not all elections have been peaceful, however. Following the 2007 election, mass violence erupted and more than 1,000 people were killed, according to NPR. CNN also reported that 500,000 people were displaced in the months following the 2007 election, describing it as “the worst violence the nation had seen since it gained independence from Britain in 1963.” The violence had followed claims by Odinga that the election had been rigged.

Tensions have already risen this year as the election approaches, which became all the more evident following the murder of Christopher Msando, the IT Director of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), according to NPR. In a joint statement, the U.S. Ambassador and UK High Commissioner said that “It is critical that Kenya have free, fair, credible and peaceful elections on August 8, and protection for IEBC staff is essential to achieving this goal.” NPR has also reported that both the United States and the United Kingdom have offered to help with the murder investigation.

According to the Washington Times, the U.S. has observation teams in Kenya to monitor the election. The peaceful execution and credibility of this election are of utmost importance, as if the Kenyan election is peaceful, this will strengthen the other African countries seeking peaceful elections.

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