The Kenya Election 2022 is fast approaching, and the political landscape is rife with ambiguity. It seems that the two main camps, Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, could use their state power to manipulate the election. In turn, Ruto’s supporters could mobilise street protests in the event of an ill-timed outcome. Which one of these scenarios is most likely? Let’s take a closer look.
Raila Odinga
While there’s plenty of competition among the candidates in the Kenya Election 2022, one candidate, Raila Odinga, has some clear advantages. The candidate is an outsider who came to the presidency through a relatively modest route – he was imprisoned decades ago for advocating multi-party democracy. Odinga has pledged cash handouts to the poorest households and health care for all. His proposal to expand the welfare system will greatly expand cash assistance to the poorest households in Kenya. Odinga also promises universal health care and social protection.
In an unusual presidential election, Kenyans went to the polls Tuesday. The outgoing president threw his support behind Raila Odinga and his rival, the brash deputy president William Ruto. While turnout was lower than usual, some voters claimed they had little hope of real change. However, some analysts deemed the election to be close enough for a runoff. If so, it may be indicative of the fact that economic issues are much more important than ethnic tensions in Kenya.
In addition to issues of economic growth and poverty, the country is facing numerous challenges, including soaring prices and drought in the north. Meanwhile, the winner of the Kenya Election 2022 will have to address these issues, as well as the problems of climate change and instability in the region. In addition, voter turnout has been low, reflecting a disconnection between the issues of the nation and the political marketplace.
The election results are due to be announced on August 16th. If the winner isn’t declared the winner, a second round must be held within 30 days. Two weeks after the results are announced, the winner will take office, and in some cases, may be the first president in Kenya’s history. If the Supreme Court finds that the election was invalid, a new election will be held within 60 days.
If Odinga wins the presidency, it will be a vindication of his personal struggles. By winning the election, he will become Kenya’s first leader from outside of the dominant Kikuyu and Kalenjin ethnic groups. The Luo, who are the fourth largest ethnic group in the country, have long resented being left out of political power. His running mate would be the first woman to serve as vice president in the country.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has prepared voting materials to be distributed at the 46,000 polling centers. The commission conducted a voter simulation exercise on 7 August to familiarize 22 million voters with the voting process. In Kenya, voting is done through KIEMS kits or manual registers. The IEBC says it will use satellite modems in places where 3G or 4G networks do not reach.
Uhuru Kenyatta
Two prominent members of the Kenyatta family are running for the presidency in the upcoming elections. Odinga is the kingpin of the Luo ethnic group who hail from the shores of Lake Victoria and has finished second in three previous elections. His opponents are the Kikuyus, who constitute one-fifth of Kenya’s population and their ethnic allies who surround Mount Kenya.
Many experts say the country’s high cost of living will affect voter turnout, particularly among the young. Unemployment and poverty are major factors that make the youth disillusioned. Also, many voters will not be able to see any good that politicians are doing for them. In addition, Kenya’s politics tend to be influenced by ethnicity. Because of this, youth may struggle to vote on policy lines that are more relevant to their needs and desires.
One reason that some voters might choose Ruto over Kenyatta is his personal ties to the Kikuyu tribe. Ruto is a Kalenjin and has been charged by the International Criminal Court in The Hague for inciting attacks against the Kikuyu after the 2007 disputed election. As such, his political legacy is tainted. If Ruto wins, the Kikuyu majority could lose its majority in the presidency.
Recent polls suggest that Odinga has a slight edge over Ruto, and that the nation is less fearful of widespread violence in the forthcoming elections. Nevertheless, there is still widespread distrust in the national election commission, which Raila and Ruto have alleged is biased against them. The country remains on the edge of instability as the International Criminal Court has indicted both Ruto and Odinga.
As a former chicken seller, Ruto is promoting himself as the “hustler” who came from humble beginnings. In his campaign, Ruto wants to improve agricultural productivity and increase financial inclusion. The economy of Kenya depends on agriculture and farming accounts for 70 percent of the country’s population. He also wants to expand the number of people working in agriculture. If he wins, he will be elected as the President of Kenya for the fourth time.
During the campaign, Kenyans are worried about the results of the elections and whether Odinga’s popularity will continue. This is particularly true of the presidential election, which Kenya holds once every four years. The results will be announced a week after the election, and any candidate who fails to do so will face a runoff within 30 days. The most likely scenario, according to analysts, is a legal challenge to the election results. Within seven days of the election, any Kenyan citizen can file a lawsuit challenging the election results.
A former rival of Kenyatta, Odinga has emerged as the “candidate of the establishment” after losing the 2007 elections. However, due to the disputed results, the two rivals are now being called “candidates of the establishment.”
William Ruto
The winner of the Kenya Election 2022 will have to address multiple issues affecting the country, including massive debt, soaring inflation, drought in the north, and increasing youth unemployment. Although both candidates have publicly voiced concerns over technical preparedness, some voters may still be unsure of their intentions. In addition, both Ruto and Odinga have publicly expressed concerns about the disappearance of voters from the voter registry.
There are several reasons to believe Mr Ruto is the right candidate for the presidency of Kenya. First of all, he has the necessary experience and the political background to be the right candidate for the job. Second, he is the youngest president in the world. He has a long and distinguished political career, including several terms as deputy prime minister. Thirdly, he is well-respected in his community and has strong support from the youth. Thirdly, his popularity has risen over the years and his supporters are confident that he will win.
A veteran opposition leader is running against a sitting deputy president, but there are other possibilities. Raila Odinga, the outgoing president, threw his support behind him in the election. William Ruto, a former rival of Kenya’s president, is a contender for the position. George Wajackoyah is the third-place candidate. Despite the recent elections in Kenya, the country’s political climate has been plagued by violence.
The two main candidates for the presidency of Kenya are hoping that their regional strongholds will drive high voter turnout in the August 5 vote. However, final opinion polls show former Prime Minister Raila Odinga pulling ahead of Ruto. A runoff could happen within five days of the August 5 vote. Although polling firms are prohibited by law from publishing final poll results before the vote, three leading Kenyan pollsters published results on 2 August and 3 August. On 2 August, Trends and Insights for Africa and Africom published results showing Raila ahead with 49% and Ruto with 40%, respectively.
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