See the chaotic scenes as Kenya elects new president
Kenya elected its first multiparty presidential candidate in the last six months of December as the long-lasting political and economic crisis in the country dragged on and President Uhuru Kenyatta faced mounting pressure to seek re-election in the face of increasing economic challenges.
On Friday December 31, Kenya voted in the general election, which is the first step in the constitutional process and a chance for President Uhuru Kenyatta to seek re-election next year. Kenyatta and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won a convincing victory with 45.15 percent, or 2.14 million votes, in three of the five regions, and are expected to form a coalition government.
Kenya is facing a series of challenges as it gears up for a new election next year in March, including an economic crisis after years of mismanagement, a political crisis following the announcement of a ‘decisive action’ in December to seek presidential re-election, the ongoing threat of terrorism inside and outside the country and a lack of trust in the incumbent.
“This new wave of election results reflects the impact of the Kenyan people and their desire to see President Kenyatta stay in the post for the next five years,” said James Kagiso, an analyst at the International Crisis Group (ICG) Kenya.
“This victory will also serve as a wake-up call to the Kenyan parliament and the ruling party as the result is a mandate for new government initiatives to address economic concerns and improve services to the poor in order to meet their expectations”.
According to the ICG, the political crisis that erupted after Kenyatta decided to seek re-election for an unprecedented third time in February, following his second defeat in the 2016 elections, is one of the factors that led to the election of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Kenya’s elections have been held every five years after a transfer of power following the death, resignation or retirement of the president or as a result of a coup or other political upheaval. Despite Kenya’s history of holding elections and retaining power, the country has not been successful in holding free and fair polls since 1963.
“The political crisis that has engulfed the country over the past four months has led to public anger,