President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre), former opposition leader Raila Odinga (right), and Deputy President William Ruto launching the first Building Bridges Initiative report in 2019.
Tony Karumba/AFP via Getty Images
Kenya’s constitution-making process has exhibited a gyration pattern that often starts with a belief that governance reforms can rectify the country's problems, but ends up as a power struggle.
Kenya’s founding president Jomo Kenyatta attends a ceremony in 1964 in Nairobi.
Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images
Far from the myth of the omnipotent father of the nation, big man or dictator, the Kenyan presidential system was built on divisions and uncertainty.
Former President Mwai Kibaki [centre] smiles after being handed the new constitution document by former Attorney General, Amos Wako [right] in 2010.
Tony Karumba/AFP via GettyImages
For democracy to work in Kenya the country needs good leadership. Politicians must uphold the constitution to infuse trust and confidence in state institutions.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (left), and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga
Getty Images
The Building Bridges Initiative is best understood by recognising that Kenyan politics is fundamentally shaped by competition between political elites and their ethnic groups.
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) shakes hands with the opposition coalition leader Raila Odinga to symbolise a truce in March 2018.
Simon Maina/AFP via Getty Images
Raila Odinga has been at the forefront of the struggle for democracy and upholding the rule of law in Kenya. His latest battles are bound to cement his legacy as a progressive force for good.
An opposition supporter in Nairobi’s Mathare area.
Siegfried Modola/Reuters
Key institutions steering Kenya’s election have evidently broken down, leaving the country open to an iron fist to reestablish political stability by any means necessary.
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga announced his exit from the re-run of the presidential election scheduled for October 26.
Reuters/Baz Ratner
Kenya’s upcoming poll will continue despite opposition leader Raila Odinga's decision to exit lawful processes prematurely. This will mean Kenyatta will likely win his second term in a row.
A supporter of the opposition leader Raila Odinga faces off against riot police officers during a protest in Nairobi.
Dai Kurokawa/EPA
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.