Kenya’s Supreme Court landmark ruling has opened the door to robust conversation around the country’s nascent democracy, paving the way for rule of law and stronger institutions.
Kenya’s Supreme Court President and Chief Justice David Maraga (centre) nullified the presidential election.
Reuters/Baz Ratner
For decades, power in Kenya has lain with the government and administrative organisations that serve it. The Supreme Court’s decision calling for a new election suggests that this may have changed.
Opposition Kenyan leader Raila Odinga speaks out after the election was declared invalid.
Reuters/Baz Ratner
By failing to provide details on what invalidated Kenya’s election, the country’s Supreme Court has created an impossible timeline for organising re-elections within 60 days.
An elderly woman votes in Kenya. The presidential results have since been contested.
Baz Ratner/Reuters
It’s unclear exactly when Kenya’s next president will begin the process of withdrawing troops from Somalia. If it’s too rushed, the move might destabilise the region.
Rwandan presidential candidate, Frank Habineza, waves to supporters.
Reuters/Jean Bizimana
With frequent irregularities, it’s easy to become cynical about elections in Africa. But polls are an essential component of the continent’s growing democracy.
Despite their scepticism, Kenyan voters come out in large numbers to cast their ballots.
EPA/Dai Kurokawa
Kenya’s history of electoral problems is interwoven with a political drama which pits one dynasty against another in a rivalry that goes back more than 50 years.
Election campaign posters in Kibera slum, Nairobi, ahead of the upcomig polls.
EPA/Dai Kurokawa
The two main candidates in Kenya’s election are incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta and the opposition’s Raila Odinga. Polls have them neck-and-neck. Here’s what you need to know about the key issues.
Integration within the East African Community has been sticky. The fact that Kenya’s main political parties haven’t spelled out their policies on the community in their manifestos is a worry.
Rivals in the Kenya election Uhuru Kenyatta (left) and Raila Odinga.
Reuters/Thomas Mukoya
Although some complain that the differences between Kenyatta and Odinga are more rhetorical than real, one thing is clear: Kenyans have a real choice to make at the ballot box.
Kenya abolished primary school fees in January 2003.
Kenya’s next general election is slated for August 8 this year. As the country prepares for the polls, there are fears that political tensions will result in violence. Will history repeat itself?
Kenyan voters queue to cast their ballots during the 2013 general election.
Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
Kenyan voters are aware of their central role in the electoral process, yet they tend to limit their leadership choices. Are they ready to break away from tradition in the 2017 elections?
Uhuru Kenyatta, then Kenya’s Finance Minister (rear) appears at the International Criminal Court in 2011. Kenyatta, now President and off the hook, is weighing his country’s options.
Reuters/Bas Czerwinski
It is a question of when, not whether, Kenya will pull out of the ICC. But it is also clear that there is some incentive for Nairobi not to withdraw immediately
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) and visiting Tanzanian President John Magufuli.
EPA/Daniel Irungu
Magufuli’s visit to Kenya reaffirms Tanzania as a leading regional actor. But it is also clearly designed to reset bilateral relations with Kenya which have been at best lukewarm on his watch
Presidents Jacob Zuma and Uhuru Kenyatta. Their countries are at the forefront of efforts to have Africa leave the ICC.
GCIS
Ironically the campaign to withdraw from the ICC was mainly initiated by the very same governments and heads of state that had earlier referred cases to the ICC when it suited their own interests.