Article Author:
Associated Press
Carla Anna
Nairobi, Kenya (AP) — Voting began on Tuesday in Kenya's unusual presidential election. A vice president who calls himself an outsider.
Elections are believed to be imminent, and may be the first presidential run-off in an East African economic capital.
The front-runners are Lyra Odinga and Vice President William Root, who have contested the presidency for a quarter of a century. political dynasty.
More than 22 million people have registered to vote in this election. Economic issues may be more important in this election than the ethnic tensions that have had fatal consequences in past polls.
Outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta, the son of Kenya's first president, followed a bitter election campaign in 2017 by endorsing his long-time rival Odinga in favor of his usual ethnic Boundary crossed. But both Odinga and Ruto chose their running mates from the country's largest ethnic group, the Kikuyu.
Odinga made history by selecting Martha Kahlua, the first female vice-presidential candidate.
Rising food and fuel prices, high government debt, high unemployment and widespread corruption mean that economic problems are at the heart of elections, with unregulated campaign funds draining the country. highlighted inequality.
Kenyans want a peaceful vote. Elections can be very troubling, like when the country exploded in 2007 after Odinga claimed votes were stolen from him, killing more than 1,000 people. In 2017, the High Court overturned election results for the first time in Africa after Odinga challenged them. He then boycotted the new vote, proclaimed himself "President of the people", and led to allegations of treason.A handshake between him and Kenyatta calmed the crisis.
This was likely Odinga's last attempt at his 77-year-old, and Kenyans and election observers said his often-enthusiastic supporters were overwhelmed by the results and allegations of manipulation. We'll see how it reacts.
The official results should be announced within a week after the election, but if not by the end of this week there will be a rush.
