Today 9th August 2022, millions of registered voters out of the total 22 million at dawn camped at several polling stations to exercise their civil rights and vote for their leaders. Excitement and anticipation is what describes the situation in Kenya with tight race presidential race between Raila Odinga and William Ruto.
Raila Odinga 77 years,a veteran politician is running for presidential office for the fifth time without winning but very active in the Political scene. While William Ruto 55, referred to as hustler by his campaign message ‘Every Hustle Matters’ has been the Vice President serving besides President Uhuru ¹
Mr. Odinga has been in the Political scene for decades, eyeing the top most office since 1990. His election failures to become a prominent leader has created bitterness among the Luo speaking tribe which is the fourth largest ethnicity in the land. Tribalism has played a big role in politics not only in Kenya but Africa at large. In the past election in 2017, several Kenyans perished in election voilence resulting from failure to accept election outcome.
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Out going President Uhuru Kenyatta backs Raila Odinga for his replacement as opposed to his junior, Vice President William Ruto. The rift between Kenyatta and Ruto is clearly exhibited in Ruto’s campaign messages and manifesto as he critiques Kenyatta’s leadership.
The Kenyans outside the territory by law are granted chance to vote but only the Presidential candidate, many Kenyans in Kampala camped at the Kenyan High Commision in Uganda early morning. While some voted successfully, others didn’t as their names were missing from the voters registrar and others posted in their home village.
Many Ugandans are standing with Kenyans especially desuading them from voilence both on social media and on ground. Ugandans have also admired Uhuru Kenyatta’s bold step of stepping down paving way for other leaders, which many would like to see President Museveni embrace. President Museveni has been in power for 36 years, making him one of the longest serving leaders in Africa. One would wonder when his rule will come to an end!
By midweek, Kenyans will be receiving provisional election results as it is released! However the question remains, who will replace Uhuru Kenyatta?
