Kenya election violence signals deeper divisions

Sunday, Mar 31, 2013

The Supreme Court of Kenya has upheld the official results of the nation’s presidential election in which Uhuru Kenyatta won outright with just over 50 per cent of the popular vote. The fact that Kenyatta, wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges that he was behind political violence that marred Kenya’s previous election in 2007 and left more than 1,200 people dead, won by just over the 50 per cent mark meant that he avoided a second-round run-off with Raila Odinga.

When the Supreme Court announced its verdict, clashes broke out in Nairobi, leaving at least two dead and scores of Odinga’s supporters injured.

This history of election violence in Kenya is troubling, and while the presidential campaign itself went off without incident, the post-result clashes show that tensions and divisions within Kenya are still simmering. There are accusations that some ballots may have been questionable, but the Supreme Court ruling does at least give a vestige of legitimacy to the proceedings.

Odinga, in challenging the results, is now urging for calm and an end to the latest spate of violence. And that’s a welcome development.

Gulf News