2017 Kenyan general election

{{Infobox election | country = Kenya | type = presidential | previous_election = 2013 Kenyan general election | previous_year = 2013 | next_election = 2022 Kenyan general election | next_year = 2022 | election_date = 8 August 2017 | module =

2017 Kenyan general election was a pivotal national poll held on 8 August 2017, marking the second election under the 2010 Constitution. Incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Jubilee Party sought re-election against a coalition led by veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga of the NASA. The election was characterized by intense political rivalry, significant legal challenges, and a subsequent controversial repeat poll, deeply polarizing the nation and drawing intense scrutiny from international observers.

Background

The political landscape was shaped by the contentious 2013 Kenyan general election, where Uhuru Kenyatta narrowly defeated Raila Odinga. The period saw the consolidation of major parties, with Kenyatta's TNA merging into the new Jubilee Party, while Odinga's ODM formed the NASA coalition with Wiper led by Kalonzo Musyoka and other parties. Key issues included the implementation of devolution, economic promises, and calls for electoral reform following disputes over the IEBC. The shadow of the 2007-08 post-election violence loomed, with both the ICC cases against Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto having been dropped.

Election process

The polls were administered by the IEBC, chaired by Wafula Chebukati. For the first time, the commission employed an integrated electronic results transmission system, though this technology faced significant skepticism from the opposition. Voting occurred for six positions: President, members of the National Assembly, Senate, County Assemblies, County Governors, and Women County Representatives. Key electoral reforms followed the Supreme Court's nullification, leading to a fresh presidential election on 26 October 2017, which was boycotted by NASA and marred by low turnout and protests.

Presidential election

The presidential contest was primarily between incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta and his main challenger Raila Odinga. Kenyatta's running mate was Deputy President William Ruto, while Odinga's was Kalonzo Musyoka. After the 8 August vote, the IEBC declared Kenyatta the winner with 54.17% of the vote. Odinga petitioned the result at the Supreme Court, which in a historic ruling on 1 September, nullified the presidential election due to "irregularities and illegalities" in the transmission of results. The court ordered a fresh election within 60 days. The 26 October repeat poll proceeded with only Kenyatta as a participant after Odinga's withdrawal, leading to Kenyatta's victory with 98% of the vote.

Parliamentary and gubernatorial elections

Simultaneous elections for the National Assembly and Senate saw the Jubilee Party secure strong majorities. Notable races included the election of Raila Odinga as Member of Parliament for Langata. In gubernatorial contests, several high-profile incumbents were ousted, including Evans Kidero of Nairobi by Mike Sonko. The ODM performed strongly in its strongholds like Mombasa and Kisumu, while Jubilee dominated the Central Kenya region. The elections also saw a record number of women elected as governors, including Anne Waiguru in Kirinyaga.

Results and aftermath

The official presidential result from the nullified August election gave Uhuru Kenyatta 8.2 million votes against Raila Odinga's 6.7 million. The Supreme Court's nullification was a first in Africa. The subsequent boycott and repeat poll in October plunged the country into a prolonged political crisis, sparking protests, particularly in NASA strongholds in Nyanza and the Coast, which were met with a heavy-handed response by the National Police Service. The standoff culminated in a symbolic "swearing-in" of Odinga as the "people's president" in January 2018, leading to a brief government crackdown before a surprise reconciliation between Kenyatta and Odinga in the March 2018 Kenyan handshake.

International reactions

The election was closely monitored by international bodies including the European Union, the African Union, and the Commonwealth. Observers from the EU initially deemed the August process largely credible, though they noted systemic problems. Following the Supreme Court ruling, global actors like the U.S. State Department and the United Nations urged respect for constitutional processes. The controversial repeat poll and the ensuing crisis drew calls for dialogue from leaders such as AU Commission chair Moussa Faki and envoys from the United Kingdom. The eventual political truce between Kenyatta and Odinga was welcomed by the international community as a step toward stability.

Category:2017 elections in Kenya Category:General elections in Kenya Category:2017 in Kenyan politics Category:August 2017 events in Africa