Kenya counts votes, and the cost of a violence-hit election

NAIROBI: As polling officials tallied votes, Kenyans counted the cost yesterday of a deeply-divisive election marred by an opposition boycott and protests that left at least four dead and scores wounded, reports AFP.

The country’s second presidential election in three months plunged into chaos on Thursday as supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga attempted to block voting, clashing with police who fired tear gas, water cannon and live bullets.

The election came after a two-month political drama that began when the Supreme Court overturned the victory of President Uhuru Kenyatta in August 8 elections due to “irregularities”.

However, although the ruling was initially hailed as a chance to deepen democracy in one of east Africa’s most stable nations, its impact quickly soured, unleashing weeks of angry protests, acrimonious political rhetoric and intimidation of election officials.

And Odinga’s boycott of the re-run, on grounds the election commission had failed make the necessary changes to ensure a free and fair vote, has assured Kenyatta a landslide victory.

But as polling officials carefully counted the ballots, some under close police protection, difficult questions remained over the credibility of an election boycotted by a large part of the 19 million registered voters.

Estimated figures compiled by the election board pointed to a turnout of just 48 percent.

If confirmed, it would be a huge fall from the nearly 80 percent rate in the August poll, which was won by Kenyatta but overturned by the Supreme Court in an unprecedented ruling that has sparked weeks of protest and acrimonious debate.

While the August election saw long queues of voters and ballots being cast long after closing time in some places, Thursday’s vote was a different story with many polling stations empty or welcoming only a trickle of people.

 

 

Kenya counts votes, and the cost of a violence-hit election

NAIROBI: As polling officials tallied votes, Kenyans counted the cost yesterday of a deeply-divisive election marred by an opposition boycott and protests that left at least four dead and scores wounded, reports AFP. The countrys second presidential election in three months plunged into chaos on Thursday as supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga attempted to block voting, clashing with police who fired tear gas, water cannon and live bullets. The election came after a two-month political drama that began when the Supreme Court overturned the victory of President Uhuru Kenyatta in August 8 elections due to irregularities. However, although the ruling was initially hailed as a chance to deepen democracy in one of east Africas most stable nations, its impact quickly soured, unleashing weeks of angry protests, acrimonious political rhetoric and intimidation of election officials. And Odingas boycott of the re-run, on grounds the election commission had failed make the necessary changes to ensure a free and fair vote, has assured Kenyatta a landslide victory. But as polling officials carefully counted the ballots, some under close police protection, difficult questions remained over the credibility of an election boycotted by a large part of the 19 million registered voters. Estimated figures compiled by the election board pointed to a turnout of just 48 percent. If confirmed, it would be a huge fall from the nearly 80 percent rate in the August poll, which was won by Kenyatta but overturned by the Supreme Court in an unprecedented ruling that has sparked weeks of protest and acrimonious debate. While the August election saw long queues of voters and ballots being cast long after closing time in some places, Thursdays vote was a different story with many polling stations empty or welcoming only a trickle of people.