Tensions in Kenya Shoot Up Despite a Successful Repeat Election

Kenya’s long drawn election drama spells months of uncertainty in East Africa’s economic hub.

President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term on Tuesday, 28 November in front of tens of thousands who gathered to celebrate what they hoped would be the end of month-long election turmoil.

Kenyatta, who won a repeat presidential election on 26 Oct, criticised the Supreme Court's nullification of his August election win, saying that "despite...being told that the processes matter more than your vote, we complied."

He added that the court, whose justices he once called “crooks” for their ruling, acted with independence.He also said the recent events show that “our constitution is no piece of paper.”

Kenya's election drama, which started on 8 August, meant months of uncertainty in East Africa's economic hub. The court in nullifying the August result cited irregularities after a legal challenge by opposition leader Raila Odinga, and it ordered a new vote.

It was the first time in Africa that a court had nullified a presidential election, and Kenya’s events have been closely watched cross the continent by opposition parties and leaders alike. 

Oppositions' Grievances With the Election Results

Opposition leader Raila Odinga and his supporters boycotted the repeat election last month, saying electoral reforms had not been made.

He accuses the ruling party of stealing the election, rampant corruption, directing abuse by the security forces and neglecting vast swathes of the country, including Odinga's heartland in the west.

Many opposition supporters on Tuesday were heeding Odinga's call to gather and remember those killed in the months of turmoil.

Odinga has called Kenyatta’s inauguration a “coronation”, claiming it was the end of the electoral process.

Supporters of Kenyatta, who won with 98 percent of the vote after Odinga's boycott, want Odinga to engage in talks and move on.

Plans for the Future

Kenyatta's speech acknowledged that the extended election season has divided Kenya.

The elections are now firmly behind us...I will devote my time and energy to build bridges. He said Kenyans needed to free themselves from the baggage of past grievances, and...keep to the rule of law. 

On the other hand, Odinga told supporters gathered along a road in the Nairobi suburb that, "On 12 December, we will have an assembly that will swear me in."

Minutes after Odinga spoke, riot police sprayed teargas on his convoy and charged the crowd.

The opposition had planned to hold a prayer meeting, saying it wanted to commemorate the lives of Odinga supporters killed during confrontations with the security forces over the election period.

(With inputs from PTI and Reuters)

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