Elections in Kenya are never just a matter of casting ballots. Historically, they have been marred by ethno-political violence, exacerbated by vigilantes and militias deployed by politicians.
While Kenya’s political leaders often adopt a populist approach to politics, it’s not unimaginable that the courts could also pursue a populist path by claiming to speak for the people.
Acts of arson by Kenyan high school students have been characterised as ‘mindless hooliganism’. But research shows that students are actually engaging in purposeful, reasoned political action.