Supreme Court justices narrowed arguments down to a few questions, including whether the election commission’s computer systems were hacked, and whether Mr Ruto won more than 50% of the vote. vote to avoid voting problems and whether there is a difference between the number of votes. for presidential candidates and those for congressional seats.
For decades, the outsider of Kenyan politics Mr Odinga has contested this election as an establishment candidate, after striking a political deal with his longtime rival. , Mr. Kenyatta, in 2018. The two men said that the deal, known as the “handshake,” would ease political tensions in the country after a bitter election a year earlier and heal divisions. Racial divisions have long been a feature of Kenyan politics.
But critics call it a self-serving arrangement among elites. One of its main proposals, a sweeping constitutional amendment that would help expand presidential powers, is rejected by the Supreme Court this early year.
Mr. Ruto, a wealthy businessman, identifies himself as an underling who is not a descendant of a political dynasty. During demonstrations, he often talk about his days as a chicken seller and attract what he calls “hustle people,” millions of young people who, like him in the past, are struggling to make ends meet.
The election comes as Kenya faces a severe drought that threatens the lives of millions. The country also has to face severe economic constraintswith debt piled upHigh inflation, the war in Ukraine and the lingering aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic have all undermined economic growth.
Authorities spent $374 million on the election, making it one of the most expensive places in Africa.
However, many young Kenyans stay at home on voting daywith voter turnout falling to 65% of the country’s 22.1 million registered votes, down from 80% in 2017.
