Devolution has demystified local power and emboldened voters to assert themselves, leading to shocks all the way up the political pyramid Nairobi, Kenya | AFRICAN ARGUMENTS | Kenya’s 2017 elections are set to be the country’s most interesting yet. The political landscape has shifted, and whatever else these elections turn out to be …
Read More »Kenyan president skips poll debate, gives rival the floor
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was a no-show Monday at a televised debate ahead of August 8 elections, leaving his main rival Raila Odinga alone to field questions. Both candidates had initially pulled out of the final debate, but after a change in format Odinga agreed …
Read More »Kenya court overturns ruling on presidential ballot contract
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Kenya’s appeals court on Thursday quashed a ruling cancelling a contract to print presidential ballot papers, a victory for the electoral commission less than three weeks before general elections. The decision comes two weeks after the high court ordered the electoral commission to start a …
Read More »Kenyatta talks tough on election date, warns judiciary and IEBC
Kenyatta urges Kenya courts not to ‘aid opposition to sabotage polls’ KABARTONJO, Baringo County | PSCU KENYA | President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto today cautioned Kenya’s judiciary “not to aid the opposition to scuttle the election process.” The two leaders accused the courts of increasingly getting entangled in what …
Read More »Kenya court cancels presidential ballot printing contract
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | A Kenyan court on Friday cancelled a contract to print presidential ballot papers for next month’s elections after the opposition claimed the winning company had links to President Uhuru Kenyatta. The election commission had awarded the $24 million contract to Dubai-based Al Ghurair. A panel …
Read More »Kenya president Kenyatta, Odinga to skip televised election debates
Kenya’s main candidates pull out of televised election debate Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Both Kenya’s leading presidential contenders have pulled out of two planned televised debates ahead of the August 8 election, their parties said Wednesday. President Uhuru Kenyatta withdrew first, followed by his main rival Raila Odinga. The first …
Read More »EU deploys Kenya election observers, warns against possible violence
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | The EU warned Monday of possible violence in Kenya’s elections as it deployed observers ahead of the August 8 poll pitting President Uhuru Kenyatta against his longtime rival Raila Odinga. The European Union said the threat of poll clashes which pushed Kenya to the brink …
Read More »Kenya records five million new voters for August polls
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Kenya’s election commission announced Tuesday that there would be five million new voters taking part in August polls, raising the stakes for incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta and his longtime rival Raila Odinga. After the first-ever audit of the voter’s register — often seen as a key …
Read More »Four ways the Kenyan elections could be rigged – and how to stop it
Birmingham, UK | NIC CHEESEMAN | Unrigging Kenyan election The race for State House in Kenya is heating up. After a long period during which President Uhuru Kenyatta looked a shoo-in for re-election, the presidential race is looking increasingly competitive. Although the most reliable polls still give the incumbent a strong lead …
Read More »COMMENT: Time for environmental criminal court
A Global Witness report documented 185 killings across 16 countries in the year 2015 alone By Phyllis Omido The announcement of the winners of this year’s Goldman Environmental Prize is an opportunity to celebrate activist leaders. But it is also a moment to recognise just how much courage their efforts …
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