2007–2008 Kenyan crisis

2007–2008 Kenyan crisis was a period of intense political and ethnic violence that erupted following the disputed 2007 Kenyan general election. The conflict, primarily between supporters of incumbent Mwai Kibaki of the Party of National Unity and challenger Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement, resulted in over 1,100 deaths and the displacement of more than 600,000 people. The crisis was eventually resolved through international mediation, leading to a power-sharing agreement and the formation of a coalition government.

Background and causes

The roots of the crisis lay in long-standing ethnic tensions and grievances over land distribution, particularly dating back to the colonial administration of British Kenya. The political landscape was dominated by competition between the Kikuyu community, associated with Mwai Kibaki, and a coalition of other groups like the Luo and Kalenjin, supporting Raila Odinga. Deep-seated issues of economic disparity, corruption, and a winner-take-all political system established by the Constitution of Kenya created a volatile climate. The contentious 2005 Kenyan constitutional referendum had further polarized the nation, setting the stage for the explosive 2007 Kenyan general election.

Timeline of events

Violence erupted immediately after the Electoral Commission of Kenya declared Mwai Kibaki the winner on 30 December 2007, with opposition supporters alleging widespread electoral manipulation. Initial protests in Nairobi and Kisumu were met with a heavy-handed response from the Kenya Police. The conflict rapidly escalated into widespread ethnic killings and retaliatory attacks, particularly in the Rift Valley Province, Nyanza Province, and Western Province. Key flashpoints included the burning of a church in Eldoret and clashes in the Kibera slum. The situation prompted the deployment of the General Service Unit and, eventually, the Kenya Army.

Political and ethnic violence

The violence manifested as both organized political protests and brutal communal clashes. In the Rift Valley Province, Kalenjin militias targeted Kikuyu residents, leading to massacres and mass displacement, notably in towns like Nakuru and Naivasha. Police brutality and extrajudicial killings by state security forces were widely reported in opposition strongholds like Kisumu and Mombasa. Human Rights Watch and the International Criminal Court later documented evidence of Crimes against humanity, implicating figures such as William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta.

International response and mediation

The international community reacted swiftly, with the African Union and the United Nations expressing deep concern. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan led a high-profile mediation team, the Panel of Eminent African Personalities, which included former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa and Graca Machel. Sustained diplomatic pressure from the United States, the European Union, and the Commonwealth of Nations was crucial. The mediation culminated in the signing of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act on 28 February 2008, which created the coalition government with Mwai Kibaki as President and Raila Odinga as Prime Minister of Kenya.

Aftermath and long-term effects

The crisis led to significant political reforms, most notably the passage of the 2010 Constitution, which devolved power and reformed the electoral system. The Waki Commission, established to investigate the violence, recommended the creation of a Special Tribunal for Kenya and, when that failed, handed evidence to the International Criminal Court, leading to cases against William Ruto, Uhuru Kenyatta, and others. The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission was also formed to address historical injustices. The events fundamentally altered Kenyan politics, embedding coalition politics and setting a precedent for power-sharing as a conflict resolution mechanism.

Category:2007 in Kenya Category:2008 in Kenya Category:Political history of Kenya Category:Ethnic conflicts in Africa