Kenyan court takes giant step forward for Africa
'The nullification of a national election would be an extraordinary event anywhere in the world. It is a first for Africa'
The Kenya Supreme Court last week nullified the national elections held in August that had, according to the country’s national election commission, seemingly led to the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta with a surprisingly high 54 percent of the vote. The election had been challenged by veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga who cited numerous inconsistencies in the way the vote was handled and tallied, describing the results as a “massive and extensive fraud”.The court has ruled that the election has to be redone within 60 days. The nullification of a national election would be an extraordinary event anywhere in the world. It is a first for Africa. The repudiation of an election commission and of a sitting president demonstrates the strength of the Kenyan judiciary. Equally impressive was the immediate acceptance by President Kenyatta of the court’s decision; less so his subsequent attacks on the judges involved as ‘wakora’ or crooks. Odinga has said that the ruling represen...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.