Opposition boss Raila Odinga this week began piling the pressure on President William Ruto that he hopes will culminate in a discussion at the negotiating table. His plan, according to a media report, is to rally his supporters into mass action and civil disobedience. Mr

The former CS for Education, Prof. George Magoha, passed away after a short illness at the age of 71. The Cabinet approved the proposal to implement new taxes on products that are imported into the country yet similar goods are being manufactured locally. Former IEBC

Azimio calls for a ‘People’s Dialogue Forum’ as a way of putting the nascent Wiliam Ruto administration in check has raised political temperatures in the country months after the August 2022 General Election. The opposition outfit led by Raila Odinga which lost in the bitterly

A familiar scenario has played out in the last two weeks. Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria said he would be issuing the legal instruments needed to allow duty-free maize imports and a few days later, a ship with 10,000 tons of maize docked

The hearing of the presidential election petition this week have had the ICT systems used in the election process under the microscope and have proven that the systems are essential to achieving a credible electoral outcome.  Nevertheless, the risks and unforeseen challenges these technologies carry

Outcome 1 – Presidential election upheld If the Supreme Court issues a ruling that declares the presidential election as valid, the President-elect will be sworn in on the first Tuesday, 7 days from when the court issues its ruling –  September 13, 2022. Outcome 2

The next few days will be critical, and it is not only political watchers who should have their eyes on the Supreme Court, where the petition challenging the election of William Ruto as President will be heard.  Raila Odinga’s coalition has asked for a cocktail

Significant political event of the week: On Monday, August 22, the Azimio la Umoja Presidential candidate. Raila Odinga filed his petition challenging the presidential results announced by IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati.  The case will be heard and determined by September 4, 2022. Two voters moved

Following the declaration of Deputy President William Ruto as the President-elect by the IEBC chairman, a number of elected Members of Parliament allied to the Azimio la Umoja coalition have shifted camp to the Kenya Kwanza coalition.  The United Democratic Movement (UDM) party, a constituent

The famous Independent Electoral & Boundaries Commission v Maina Kiai & 5 Others [2017] eKLR, ‘Maina Kiai case’ revolutionised the electoral process. The case upheld that the results declared at the polling station are not provisional, but final and therefore cannot be altered by the

On Monday, August 15, IEBC boss Wafula Chebukati declared UDA presidential candidate William Ruto as President-elect with 7,176,141 votes against his main challenger, Mr. Raila Odinga, who got 6,942,930 votes. Upon announcement of the presidential winner by the IEBC Chairman, four IEBC commissioners disputed the

The Sentiment this week sought to analyse some of the institutions and individuals involved in the General Election and how they have emerged from the process. WINNERS IEBC Wafula Chebukati, the commission’s chairman, had a twinkle in his eye as he encouraged the public and

On Tuesday, August 9, Kenyans across the country and in the diaspora headed to polling stations to cast their vote. For the first time after 50 years of being stateless, the Shona community cast their votes. This came after President Uhuru Kenyatta granted full Kenyan

A combination of changes to electoral laws made after the elections in 2017 and the emphasis on traceability and verifiability of the polls have changed the way the results will be made public. In the week before the elections, the institution in charge has ramped

Election timelines and activities  Activity Timeline Official campaign period. 29th May, 2022 – 6th August, 2022 General Election day 9th August, 2022 Significant political event of the week: On Monday, August 1,  Education CS George Magoha directed schools to release learners for a break ahead

The electoral commission on Thursday invited the four presidential candidates for a consultative meeting over the printing of results forms. At the same time, rumours surfaced on social media and were subsequently shared through messaging apps, that the police had raided the headquarters of a

Nothing political on Twitter is spontaneous and it was therefore evident the Azimio Coalition was unhappy with the electoral commission on Friday.  Singled out for criticism by affiliated individuals was Wafula Chebukati, the chairman of the commission, over the handling of three men who were

Election timelines and activities  Activity Timeline Official campaign period. 29th May, 2022 – 6th August, 2022 Political parties and candidates to appoint and submit to the IEBC the names of the County Tallying Centre Election Agents 25th July, 2022 For presidential elections, political parties and

Election timelines and activities  Activity Timeline Official campaign period. 29th May, 2022 – 6th August, 2022 Political parties and candidates to appoint and submit to the IEBC the names of the County Tallying Centre Election Agents 25th July, 2022 For presidential elections, political parties and

Despite its best efforts, and more than four years to get its act together, the electoral commission faces the same challenges it did in 2017 when it bore the embarrassment of the presidential election annulled. Perhaps the greatest failure has been in the management of

Election timelines and activities  Activity Timeline Official campaign period. 29th May, 2022 – 6th August, 2022 Political parties and candidates to appoint and submit to the IEBC the names of the County Tallying Centre Election Agents 25th July, 2022 For presidential elections, political parties and

Election timelines and activities  Activity Timeline Official campaign period. 29th May, 2022 – 6th August, 2022 Political parties participating in the General Election to submit their Party List to IEBC. 25th June, 2022 Political parties and candidates to appoint and submit to the IEBC the

There was a hint of desperation in Johnson Sakaja’s voice as he sought to drag President Kenyatta into the troubles over his degree that have bedevilled him to no end this week. Although he insisted that the President, who was once his benefactor, was behind

Election timelines and activities  Activity Timeline Official campaign period. 29th May, 2022 – 6th August, 2022 Political parties participating in the General Election to submit their Party List to IEBC 25th June, 2022 Political parties and candidates to appoint and submit to the IEBC the

It will take a special process for the National Assembly to hold a sitting following last Thursday’s adjournment of its sittings indefinitely. Among the institutions that had hoped to have its issues resolved before the legislators effectively closed shop was the electoral commission, which had

Election timelines and activities  Activity Timeline Official campaign period 29th May 2022 – 6th August 2022 Nomination of political party candidates and independent candidates for the County Assembly Elections 1st June 2022 – 7th June 2022. Nomination of political party candidates and independent candidates for

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on May 31, 2022, shared a report with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) detailing the various moral, ethical, and  integrity concerns pertaining to aspirants seeking elective positions in the August 9, 2022 General Election.  Impact of Report

Election timelines and activities  Activity Timeline Nomination of political party candidates and independent candidates for the Presidential Election 29th May, 2022 to 6th June, 2022. Nomination of political party candidates and independent candidates for the National Assembly Elections 29th May, 2022 to 31st May, 2022

Rigathi Gachagua, William Ruto’s running mate, is reported to have caused disquiet within the Deputy President’s campaign team over a series of tactless remarks he has made since his appointment.  The latest was made on Inooro FM earlier this week, where he suggested that a

In the days after they unveiled their choice of running mate, Raila Odinga and William Ruto have had the opportunity to sit back, watch the reactions and listen to feedback on their choices. Mr Odinga will be happy about what has been said of his

Election timelines and activities  Activity Timeline Presidential candidates deliver to IEBC a list of at least 2,000 voters registered in each of a majority of the counties 23rd May, 2022 Days for the nomination of political party candidates and independent candidates for the Presidential Election

Impeached Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been the cause of a small-scale storm in Raila Odinga’s Azimio coalition. It initially seemed that Sonko had retired to Mombasa as an entrepreneur. He runs a club in the coastal city that he has worked to popularize on

Election timelines and activities  Activity Timeline IEBC to publish in the Gazette, the names and symbols of persons intending to contest in the election as independent candidates    13th May, 2022. Political parties intending to present a Presidential and Deputy Presidential candidates through party primaries or

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission this week announced the start of the verification of the voters’ register, more than two months behind schedule.  The commission, abbreviated IEBC, is traditionally kept on its toes by the political parties through their party leaders and stakeholders such

Election timelines and activities  Activity Timeline IEBC to publish in the Gazette, the names and symbols of persons intending to contest in the election as independent candidates    13th May, 2022. Political parties intending to present a Presidential and Deputy Presidential candidates through party primaries or

The camps of both leading presidential candidates put aside their rivalry this week to push a pliable electoral commission to extend the deadline for the submission of their running mates by 20 days.  While the names of the candidates and their mates were originally scheduled

Raila Odinga endured a tough day on Thursday as he worked to convince parties in the coalition that he would continue to cater to their interests as the nominations ahead of the General Election begin. Mr Odinga would end up making a U-turn on a

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has reported that it captured 1,031,645 new voters in its second National Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration exercise against a target of 4.5 million. The registration exercise came to an end on February 6, 2022. In the first phase

In exactly 179 days, Kenyans will be heading to the polls in what is shaping out to be a hotly contested General Election. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is tasked with conducting and supervising the election. History shows that various challenges have marred

Against the backdrop of the 2022 General Election, Kenyans have been receiving unsolicited political messages, as political parties clamber to influence voters. Voter registration has been in overdrive, currently in the second phase of the enhanced continuous voter registration due to end on February 6,

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has sparked a fresh round of controversy in political circles just after the fight over the law determining how coalitions are formed ended.  The electoral commission has proposed changes to the Elections Act, with the apparently most controversial

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has given notice through a press release that the General Elections shall be held on Tuesday, 9th August, 2022.  The following election dates/ timelines are universal amongst all categories of candidates vying during the 2022 General Election: UNIVERSAL TIMELINES

In the cycle of Kenyan politics, every new party needs a confidence-booster ahead of its first major General Election. William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance got theirs with a narrow win over Jubilee Party in the Kiambaa Constituency by-election.  Uhuru Kenyatta was there in September 2012,

Emerging issues threaten BBI in a real way  After a deadlock on whether they can amend the Bill to amend the Constitution, Parliament’s two committees scrutinizing the bid reported a farcical issue that could derail the efforts backed by the Handshake proponents.  Up to 34

Anyone who has
been captured
as a supporter
without their
consent can
report to the
Commission by
writing to the
Acting Commission
Secretary/CEO
indicating their
objections.”

In our estimation, the soonest the BBI Bill will be back to Parliament is June 2021. With General Elections scheduled for 2022, elected leaders will already be in campaign mode and BBI is likely to be second priority for those whose priority will be to be re-elected.