The complex succession political matrix played out this week, with less than three weeks until the August 9 General Election. While social tensions are now at an all-time low, claims of electoral malpractice in previous elections have sparked violence. In preparation for the upcoming critical vote, we have compiled a list of the top political events from the previous week.
Kenyan elections are frequently high-stakes affairs, with politicians eager to protect both their careers and their substantial business interests.
While social tensions are now at an all-time low, claims of electoral malpractice in previous elections have sparked violence that has killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands.
The complex succession political matrix played out this week, with President Uhuru Kenyatta publicly campaigning for his handshake partner Raila Odinga, painting a picture of what could define the race with less than three weeks until the August 9 General Election.
In early 2018, Uhuru joined Raila in opposing the campaign of Deputy President William Ruto, who is bitterly opposed to the president. Both candidates see defeat as a threat to their political and economic interests.
As the clock approaches the upcoming critical vote, we have compiled a list of the top political events from the previous week.
1.Mike Sonko is out of the Mombasa governorship race after the Supreme Court dismissed his impeachment appeal.
As the week comes to a close, the Supreme Court dealt former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko a major blow by ruling that his impeachment was properly carried out.
Sonko’s appeal, in which he claimed he was unconstitutionally removed from office, was dismissed by a seven-judge panel on Friday, July 15. “The impeachment proceedings before the County Assembly and the Senate were properly conducted under Article 181 of the Constitution, Section 33 of the County Governments Act, and the Assembly and Senate Standing Orders,” the Supreme Court stated.
The decision came a day after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) cleared him to run for the Mombasa governorship following a High Court order.
2.Raila Odinga vs. William Ruto: Presidential Aspirants in Key Regions
A new poll released this week revealed the respective numbers of Kenya’s top presidential candidates, Raila of the Azimio la Umoja and Ruto of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, in Kenya’s nine regions. According to Infotrak’s survey, the ODM leader has a commanding lead in six of the nine regions. Raila leads in Nairobi, Nyanza, Western, Lower Eastern, Northern Kenya, and the Coast regions, according to a report released on Wednesday, July 13. The presidential bid of the second in command has strong support in the South Rift, North Rift, and Mount Kenya regions.
3.During the Gubernatorial Debate, Charlatan, Sakaja, and Igathe take swipes at each other.
Governorship candidates Johnson Sakaja and Polycarp Igathe abandoned decorum and went for each other’s throats during the Nairobi gubernatorial session, raising the temperature even higher. Throughout the debate, which was held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Karen Nairobi, Igathe repeatedly chastised his opponent for his questionable academic credentials.
Sakaja, on the other hand, sought Igathe’s resignation in 2017, accusing him of abandoning city residents in their hour of need. As we previously reported, Sakaja was almost a no-show as the second tier of the gubernatorial debate began.
4.Where Is Gachagua? : Kenyans Express Concerns About Ruto’s Increasing Absence
Rigathi Gachagua, Ruto’s running mate, has been absent from major campaign events for several weeks. Kenyans have taken to social media to inquire about the whereabouts of the outspoken Mathira lawmaker, whose name has become synonymous with controversy.
After hours of waiting, Ruto nominated Gachagua as his running mate on May 15, 2022. Azimio supporters have referred to him as a “Gift” that keeps on giving, owing to the controversies he has sparked every time he speaks in public.
5.Raila Odinga is the most popular presidential candidate in a new poll, with 42 percent of the vote.
Support Also this week, a new poll found Raila to be the most popular candidate in the hotly contested State House race.
According to the research findings released on Monday, July 11, the former premier is closely followed by Ruto, who has a 39 percent popularity rating. George Wajackoyah, presidential candidate for the Roots Party, was ranked third, with only 4% of the electorate supporting him. Raila received 39 percent of the vote in a previous poll conducted on June 18, while Ruto received 32 percent.
