Law and Legal Expert

Kenya Elections – What caused the current electoral violence in Kenya ethnic
Article

Arjen Koopman

3 January 2008 – More than 300 people were dead in Kenya after the December 27 elections. The world is looking at him puzzled and afraid, so far as Kenya had a reputation of being the most stable and prosperous country in East Africa – an example for the region. Tribal forces are the main cause of conflict. This article explains the origins.

On December 27, elections took place in Kenya. The main candidates were Mwai Kibaki (sitting President) and his main challenger, Raila Odinga. Kibaki was elected in 2002, which can be seen as the first open, honest elections in decades, in which Kibaki defeated the dictator Daniel arap Moi, who ruled the country for many decades banning other political parties.

Kibaki was elected primarily on his promise to end rampant corruption. Although he has achieved economic growth, and was applauded by the introduction of free basic education, he did nothing to accomplish his main campaign promise. He filled his government with the government with members of his own tribe, the Kikuyu, who came to steal government funds and cared little about the real progress for 50% of Kenya’s poor population, living on less than days. Kibaki government, instead spent $ 12 million in new Mercedes cars for himself, and was involved in major fraud cases as the Anglo Leasing scandal.

Kikuyu Domination

Kenya has more than 40 tribes (some count as many as 70 or 100). Kibaki is a member of the Kikuyu tribe, the largest tribe in Kenya that dominate the country’s political system and economy. The Kikuyu have had a special place in Kenya since the British colonial system. They were quick to adopt Western lifestyles and are generally more experienced in business. The Kikuyu have been marginalized all other tribes. The Kikuyu have taken the Mau Mau uprisings in 1950 and 1960 against the British. After independence, their organizations were together in the KANU party, which has dominated Kenyan politics for decades. Jomo Kenyatta, a Kikuyu, became the first president and began massive corruption by, among other reforms using the land to make himself and his clan the largest landowners in the Kikuyu country. His successor, the dictator Arap Moi expanded the system of corruption and favoritism, and strengthened his power skillfully creating tribes against each other.

voter fraud

While the tribal tensions in Kenya were much less than in other African countries, they are now full to the surface. Raila Odinga’s Luo tribe, one of the great tribes that have suffered, especially the Kikuyu domination. While Odinga (Kenya and other politicians) has played in tribal tensions before he was able to meet many other tribes in their resentment against the Kikuyu, and it took him probably win the election.

Odinga led in polls. When the first election results in Kenya came days after Dec. 27, he had the most votes. Then suddenly out of nowhere a few days later, the electoral commission announced the victory of Kibaki. European election observers said there was evidence of electoral fraud and called for an impartial investigation. A clear indication of fraud is that Odinga’s party won the most seats in parliamentary elections held at the same time. Kibaki, however, he did not want foreign interference and quickly arranged for the provision

Riots

Kenyans Angered

not Kikuyu, went to the streets and killed Kikuyu. They were joined by people with no political interest, but who used the chaos to pillage.

Kibaki government responded with force. The police had orders to shoot protesters, and they use tear gas and water cannons against even peaceful protests completely. AFP news agency said 342 deaths. A shocking incident was burning a church in a region dominated by the Luo, Kikuyu in which 35 innocent people – including children -. They fled to seek refuge from violence in the streets

However, those who speak of ethnic cleansing, or comparing the riots in Kenya, for genocide Ruandan, totally missing the point. In Rwanda, one half to one million people were killed in a few weeks and these mass murders were carefully planned months in advance. In Kenya, violence is spontaneous and uncoordinated. Both Kibaki and Odinga are quick to accuse the other of genocide, hoping to get the international community to his side.

what will happen?

Both Kibaki and Odinga have shown unwillingness to reach a solution. Kibaki says he does not want an impartial investigation. He says that the riots should stop first, and then he is willing to arrange talks with the opposition. He thus clearly that safety comes first. This is probably an equal acceptance by the opposition to Kibaki’s second term.

Odinga on the other hand, refused to call for an end of violence. He first says that Kibaki should resign, or an international investigation should be conducted into allegations of fraud and then the violence will stop by itself. It is known that Odinga has had the ambition to become president for many decades, as his father did, without success. He sniffs his chance and will not give up easily. No one changed parties more often to reach your goal than Raila Odinga.

While the two adversaries keep their land, violence is likely to continue.

Kenya has the largest economy in Africa. However, the disturbances are the massive economic damage. Kenya’s main source of foreign currency is tourism, bringing in 800 million dollars a year. But travel agencies in the West have canceled their trips, and governments everywhere are asking their citizens not to travel to Kenya.