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KIAMBAA — One Ink Ingrown toenails and old burn scars: Kenya's story of past election trauma and present-day hope is written on the skin of Philip Wangoy's hand. was badly burned in an arson church during the post-election riots that rocked Kenya after being contested in the 2007 election. Over 1,200 people died.
Today he voted peacefully in a poll haunted by the ghosts of previous elections. Like millions of citizens, he prays that politicians will take disputes to the Supreme Court rather than to the streets.
I get scared all the time," said Wangoy, clutching his bruised hand as his two young children played next to his puppy. must be The frontrunners to succeed him are veteran opposition leader Laila Odinga and current Vice President William Ruto. Kenyatta fell out with Ruto and supported Odinga.
All three men were involved in his 2007 election, but at the time Ruto supported Odinga against Kenyatta's then-boss. Kenyatta and Root were indicted by the International Criminal Court for their alleged role in the violence. The case was later dropped.
Many citizens are reluctant to vote, saying they are overwhelmed by high food prices and corruption. Some, like Wangoyi, are so bitter that the wealthy leader easily forgets his past for his own convenience.
"These politicians need these positions for personal gain and gain...they are doing nothing for the common people ” Eldoret.
After his disputed 2007 election, Wangoy's family was targeted because they were from the same Kikuyu ethnic group as the winner. Fleeing an angry mob, Wangoy, his mother, and others take refuge in a church. The building was set on fire.
Wangoy jumped through his window and burned his limbs. He stripped off his melted clothes and ran to a hospital about 10 kilometers (6 miles) away. Thirty people, including his children, were burned to death.
Wangoy is lukewarm about politicians, but says Kenyans must find better leaders. That's why he's voted in every election he can.
"It is up to us Kenyans to ensure peaceful elections," he said steadily. But even if most people want peace, he warned that small mobs paid to cause chaos could derail the process. For such people, he said, whoever loses has to accept the consequences. (Reporting by Ayenat Mersie, Editing by Katharine Houreld and Raissa Kasolowsky)
