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(Image source: euronews)
BY MICHELLE SCHUELKE
The son of Kenya’s first president has been
declared the victor in Kenya’s presidential election.
“After five days of waiting finally a result. I therefore declare Uhuru Kenyatta the duly
elected president.” (Via BBC)
This is the first election after Kenya adopted a new constitution in 2010. During Kenyatta’s
victory speech, he called the election the most free and fair in Kenya’s history.
“We acknowledge that this was a new time for you. This was the first time under our
new constitution that you are engaging in such a massive election.” (Via Sky News)
And a massive election is right. Eighty-six percent of the population turned up to vote. But
the newly confirmed president could face strained relations with Western countries.
BBC reports that in July, he is due to go on trial at the International Criminal Court
for alleged crimes against humanity. He is accused of fuelling the communal violence
after the 2007 poll that saw more than a thousand people killed and six hundred thousand forced
from their homes.
“Countries including the US and UK have hinted that Mr Kenyatta's election as president
would have consequences for their relations with Kenya. The comments have been dismissed
in Nairobi as foreign interference.”
Mr Kenyatta's running mate, William Ruto, also faces similar charges. Both men deny
the accusations, but efforts to avoid repeating the post-poll violence of 2007 were thwarted
after their victory.
“Riots have broken out in Odinga’s hometown. Police with shields and batons were deployed
in the western port of Kasumo after protests set up roadblocks and burnt tires.” (Via
Al Jazeera)
TIME reports “Kenyans’ determination to hold a peaceful election has been palpable.
The popular mood has also been notably anti-Western. Foreign diplomats have been warned of blood-curdling
revenge should they interfere in the poll.”
Technical glitches at the polls also have been blamed as the cause of this year's riots.
The new electronic system for transmitting vote results had programming errors, which
caused an increase in number of rejected votes.
The Washington Post claims Kenyatta’s opponent has already publicly alleged votes were doctored,
saying “a court challenge would be launched” to investigate the voting process.
According to The Washington Post, Kenyans say they would accept the results from the
election or challenge them through the court system rather than plunge their country into
“mayhem.”