First the corona pandemic, then a severe drought, now the consequences of the Ukraine war: In very difficult times, Kenya is electing a new president. This is not the only reason why there is growing concern that there could be riots around the elections.
Complaints about rising prices can be heard on almost every corner in Kenya. Above all, the cost of groceries such as wheat and cooking oil, but also of petrol and gas, have exploded in the East African country in recent months. The development is mainly related to the Ukraine war. In combination with the consequences of the corona pandemic and one of the worst droughts in recent decades, this has enormously worsened the economic situation of many people in Kenya. Now they are hoping that the new president will adopt a pro-poor policy.
Above all, however, they hope that there will be little violence, because the situation in Kenya is traditionally tense during elections. The 2007 elections are memorable, when more than 1000 people died. “In Kenya we are always afraid of violence. There is a problem with police violence, unpunished murders and a lot of brutality,” says Christine Mary, who works in a kind of community center in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
It is already clear that there will be changes. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is no longer standing. When choosing his successor, a head-to-head race is emerging. Polls put former Prime Minister Raila Odinga slightly ahead. The 77-year-old is running for the fifth time. His trump card: With Martha Karua, Odinga has nominated a woman as a candidate for Vice President for the first time. Together they want to stop corruption in the country and pay 50 US dollars a month to two million poorer families.
Raila’s competitor is former Vice President William Ruto. The 55-year-old promises radical economic reforms that will improve the situation for micro-entrepreneurs and farmers, as well as health insurance for all Kenyans, even free of charge for the poor. Both candidates are committed to closer ties between Kenya and the West. The other two candidates, David Mwaure and George Wajackoya, are considered to have no chance of winning, but could ensure a runoff. An absolute majority is required for Raila Odinga or William Ruto to win the election.
After the polls close, the electoral commission has a week to announce the results. How quickly Kenya then really gets a new president and the longed-for changes also depends on whether the candidates and their supporters accept the result non-violently. “There will be fights,” fears Joyce Wangari, who works as a garbage collector in Nairobi. “Neither party will recognize the truth. They all just want to win. Neither will admit defeat.”
