Political Rivalry in Kenya Goes Too Far
by Shannon Geis
Political rivalry during an election season is usually a good thing. The public is able to identify the differences between the candidates and vote for the one they feel is best suited for the job. Candidates with distinct differences make a more interesting campaign. Unfortunately, in Kenya, the political rivalry between the two main presidential candidates has gotten out of hand. Leading up to the election on Dec. 27th, 2007, relations between the two candidates were as would be expected between any political rivals, but after the elections, things flared up.
Opposition candidate Raila Odinga accused current president Mwai Kibaki of rigging the election when the election commissioner announced that Kibaki had won the election. This announcement has caused large riots and violence along tribal lines all over Kenya. Kibaki is a member of the Kikuyus, the largest of the 40 or more tribes in Kenya. This tribe accounts for 22 percent of the Kenyan population. This tribe has dominated Kenyan politics since the country gained independence in 1963. Odinga is a member of the Luo tribe. These two tribes have had a strong rivalry since the 1960s.
Although Kenya is criticized for not tackling tribalism the way its neighbor Tanzania has, it has been lauded as the most stable East African country. It has remained in peace since independence and it has one of the strongest economic bases in the region. Since Kibaki became president in 2002, Kenya's economy has begun to flourish. Kibaki ousted Danial arap Moi, who led the country repressively for 24 years. Kibaki has been credited with the rising middle class in Kenya and the country has been a model for economic and democratic development. The country has been so stable that the European Union questioned whether they needed to send observers to oversee the election on Dec. 27th.
However, Odinga and his Luo tribe have based their opposition campaign on the fact that most of the rising middle class has been members of the Kikuyu tribe. Odinga ran on a platfom of bringing more equal prosperity to the country. Most of Odinga's supporters are the residents of Kenya's slums. The largest slum in Kenya, located in the capital Nairobi, is full of Odinga's supporters. This is where much of the violence began after Odinga accused Kibaki of rigging the election. Odinga has also tried to organize peaceful protests in these areas to force Kibaki to step down.
It seems that Odinga's accusations of election rigging may be correct. Despite the question of whether observers were needed, the European Union decided to send observers anyway. Election officials in some districts did not allow observers to view tallies and some closed tally centers early. Most of these situations occurred in Kibaki's home province, allowing 48,000 questionable votes in a fairly close election with a difference of 200,000 votes. It is also slightly suspicious that Odinga's party won a large majority of the Parliament compared to Kibaki's party. EU observers have indicated that the election "fell short of international standards." Kenya's Attorney General Amos Wako, who was appointed to a life term by Daniel arap Moi, has called for an independent probe in the election issue.
Because Odinga's claims are not unfounded, the rivalry between Odinga and Kibaki and their tribes and supporters has continued to escalate. The violence has been increasing on both sides. The most violent areas have been around the city of Eldoret, where a church was set on fire burning 35 people alive, and the city slums. Both of these areas have high Luo populations. Kibaki has used police force to stop Odinga's attempted protests. Overall the violence from both sides has killed nearly 400 people and has caused thousands to go into hiding. 700 Kenyan refugees have already turned up in Uganda.
Despite the violence, the rivalry between the two political figures has only increased. Both have accused the other of genocide and ethnic cleansing. The terms are a bit exaggerated but the violence from both sides should not be ignored. Compromise between the two does not seem likely because Odinga will not speak with Kibaki until he steps down from his post. Both have refused mediation from outside groups including the leader of the African Union.
Violence after an election is not unusual in Kenya. After the election in 1992, 1,500 people were killed in tribal clashes. However, if the violence and political unrest continues it could have a dramatic affect on the entire region. Many countries in East Africa depend on Kenya's stable economy. Gas prices are already going up in the region and agriculture could be greatly affected. This political rivalry needs to find a common ground and compromise to ensure the safety of the Kenyan people and the stability of East Africa.
