With just twenty four days left for Kenyans to elect the nation’s 4th president, the percentage of undecided voters is fast diminishing as frontrunners ponder over the best strategies to employ in order to outdo each other.
In what might appear as throwing a spanner in the works, the United States has in a thinly veiled warning, said it will have very minimal contact with the Kenya if the Jubilee wins the elections by virtue of the ICC cases. Other western countries have expressed the same sentiments. Just how will this influence the choice Kenyans will make on March 4th?
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The 2013 Kenyan general election, held on March 4, marked a significant milestone in the nation’s democratic journey. It was the first election conducted under the new 2010 constitution and the inaugural one managed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The election encompassed presidential, parliamentary, and local government positions, with a notable voter turnout of 85.91% .
Presidential Election Results
In the presidential race, Uhuru Kenyatta of The National Alliance (TNA), allied with William Ruto of the United Republican Party (URP) under the Jubilee Alliance, secured 50.51% of the vote, narrowly surpassing the 50% threshold required to avoid a runoff. Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), part of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), garnered 43.7% .
Legal Challenges and Supreme Court Ruling
Raila Odinga contested the results, alleging widespread electoral irregularities and fraud. He, along with a civil society group, filed a petition with the Supreme Court, seeking to annul the election results. The court, however, upheld Kenyatta’s victory, affirming that the election was “free, fair, transparent and credible” . Chief Justice Willy Mutunga emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “Let us not allow the elections to divide us.”
Aftermath and Inauguration
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, both Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga accepted the decision. Kenyatta described the judgment as a “victory to all Kenyans,” pledging an inclusive administration. Odinga, while disagreeing with the court’s decision, acknowledged it as final and called for national unity .
On April 9, 2013, Kenyatta was inaugurated as Kenya’s fourth president at a ceremony held at Kasarani Stadium, with William Ruto sworn in as deputy president .
The 2013 election was pivotal in Kenya’s political history. Despite the tensions and legal disputes, the peaceful transition of power underscored the strengthening of democratic institutions and the rule of law in the country. The Supreme Court’s role in upholding the election results demonstrated the judiciary’s independence and commitment to constitutional principles.
