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What next in Kenya election crisis? | What next in Kenya election crisis? |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Kenya's High Court has ruled that all candidates who participated in the 8 August presidential election can now stand in the re-run later this month. | Kenya's High Court has ruled that all candidates who participated in the 8 August presidential election can now stand in the re-run later this month. |
This comes a day after the main opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, announced that he was pulling out. | This comes a day after the main opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, announced that he was pulling out. |
The re-run was ordered by the Supreme Court, which annulled the August vote won by President Uhuru Kenyatta, citing irregularities and illegalities. | The re-run was ordered by the Supreme Court, which annulled the August vote won by President Uhuru Kenyatta, citing irregularities and illegalities. |
But Mr Odinga says that nothing has changed, so the same mistakes would probably be made in the new election. | But Mr Odinga says that nothing has changed, so the same mistakes would probably be made in the new election. |
Meanwhile, parliament has passed a series of changes to the election law, which the opposition has condemned. | Meanwhile, parliament has passed a series of changes to the election law, which the opposition has condemned. |
Will the re-run still take place? | Will the re-run still take place? |
Yes. | Yes. |
According to the constitution, it must be held by 1 November. | According to the constitution, it must be held by 1 November. |
And the latest court order means that even though Mr Odinga has pulled out, President Uhuru Kenyatta should still face some competition, unless they all pull out as well. | And the latest court order means that even though Mr Odinga has pulled out, President Uhuru Kenyatta should still face some competition, unless they all pull out as well. |
From Mr Kenyatta's point of view, that lends some credibility to the poll, even though the other candidates got less than 1% of the vote between them, so Mr Kenyatta looks set to be re-elected. | From Mr Kenyatta's point of view, that lends some credibility to the poll, even though the other candidates got less than 1% of the vote between them, so Mr Kenyatta looks set to be re-elected. |
Initially, the re-run had been due to only feature President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga, who gained 54% and 45% of the vote respectively. | Initially, the re-run had been due to only feature President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga, who gained 54% and 45% of the vote respectively. |
Why did Mr Odinga pull out? | Why did Mr Odinga pull out? |
His National Super Alliance (Nasa) says its conditions for a credible election have not been met, and it wants to give the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) more time to introduce reforms. | His National Super Alliance (Nasa) says its conditions for a credible election have not been met, and it wants to give the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) more time to introduce reforms. |
Nasa's demands include: | Nasa's demands include: |
Have any changes been made at the IEBC? | Have any changes been made at the IEBC? |
After the annulment of the presidential election, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati promised to make changes to his team, but he is believed to have faced resistance from other commissioners. | After the annulment of the presidential election, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati promised to make changes to his team, but he is believed to have faced resistance from other commissioners. |
Mr Chebukati has, however, appointed a special team to be in charge of the re-run election but it is unclear how it will work with the rest of the commission or what its powers are. | Mr Chebukati has, however, appointed a special team to be in charge of the re-run election but it is unclear how it will work with the rest of the commission or what its powers are. |
The IEBC has also said that it is contractually bound to stick to the same firms that supplied the electoral material and cannot dismiss them. | The IEBC has also said that it is contractually bound to stick to the same firms that supplied the electoral material and cannot dismiss them. |
After Mr Odinga announced that he was pulling out of the race, the commission said it would seek advice from its legal team on the way forward. | After Mr Odinga announced that he was pulling out of the race, the commission said it would seek advice from its legal team on the way forward. |
What does Mr Kenyatta's party say? | What does Mr Kenyatta's party say? |
The governing Jubilee Party has said it will carry on with the re-run. | The governing Jubilee Party has said it will carry on with the re-run. |
It has used its parliamentary majority to push through controversial changes to electoral legislation, raising fears that it wants to water down controls put in place to prevent rigging. | It has used its parliamentary majority to push through controversial changes to electoral legislation, raising fears that it wants to water down controls put in place to prevent rigging. |
The changes include: | The changes include: |
The controversial amendments have been widely criticised by the opposition, religious leaders, rights groups, western diplomats including the US and UK, and the electoral commission. | The controversial amendments have been widely criticised by the opposition, religious leaders, rights groups, western diplomats including the US and UK, and the electoral commission. |
They say the changes come too close to the election date and would not bode well for the preparations that must be done before the election. | They say the changes come too close to the election date and would not bode well for the preparations that must be done before the election. |
The changes have not yet taken effect but President Kenyatta has said that he would sign the changes into law. | The changes have not yet taken effect but President Kenyatta has said that he would sign the changes into law. |
The Jubilee Party defended the changes, saying they were intended to "correct the errors" which led to the annulment of the August election. | The Jubilee Party defended the changes, saying they were intended to "correct the errors" which led to the annulment of the August election. |
What is the mood in Kenya? | What is the mood in Kenya? |
The often-heard joke is that the election is now a convenient alibi, which can be blamed for everything. | The often-heard joke is that the election is now a convenient alibi, which can be blamed for everything. |
Despite the serial inclination of Kenyans to make light of a situation, there is no running away from the fact that the country is in the midst of a serious crisis. | Despite the serial inclination of Kenyans to make light of a situation, there is no running away from the fact that the country is in the midst of a serious crisis. |
There are frequent street protests in Nairobi, Mombasa and parts of western Kenya where Mr Odinga is popular. | There are frequent street protests in Nairobi, Mombasa and parts of western Kenya where Mr Odinga is popular. |
Businessmen have been complaining that the economy has slowed, as people are unsure about what will happen next. | Businessmen have been complaining that the economy has slowed, as people are unsure about what will happen next. |
In a report on Monday, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights report said that 37 people - including a 6-month-old baby girl, a 7-year-old boy, and an 8-year-old girl - were killed in violence after the 8 August election. | In a report on Monday, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights report said that 37 people - including a 6-month-old baby girl, a 7-year-old boy, and an 8-year-old girl - were killed in violence after the 8 August election. |
It accused the security forces of using excessive force, including live bullets, to quell opposition protests. | It accused the security forces of using excessive force, including live bullets, to quell opposition protests. |
With Nasa organising a new round of of protests under the slogan "No reform, no election" and the Jubilee Party pressing ahead with its election campaign, there is concern that violence could erupt again. | With Nasa organising a new round of of protests under the slogan "No reform, no election" and the Jubilee Party pressing ahead with its election campaign, there is concern that violence could erupt again. |
Listen to Dickens' Kenya election watch |