Challenges Ahead as Kenyans Prepare to Choose New President

Kenyans go to the polls on August 9, 2022, to elect a new president. There are two main contenders - Deputy President William Ruto and veteran politician Raila Odinga. - who are both well-known to Kenyans. There's no love lost between Ruto and outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is accused by Ruto of vote rigging. Although Ruto serves as deputy, Kenyatta has thrown his weight behind former rival Odinga.

Odinga, like Kenyatta, comes from a Kenyan political dynasty and is one of the richest men in the country. A veteran politician and former prime minister, the 77-year-old may be facing his last chance for the presidency.

An economic powerhouse on the continent, Kenya was gravely hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic, as many lost their jobs and businesses closed. Both candidates, Odinga of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, and Ruto of the Kenya Kwanza party, have promised to kick-start the economy with their own empowerment programmes.

Kenya's failure to hold police accountable for allegedly killing dozens of people after the 2017 elections heightens the risk of officers again abusing their power, a leading human rights group has warned on the eve of this year's poll, reports Radio France Internationale.

According to Kenya's constitution, women must make up one-third of elected and appointed organisations. But when Kenyans go to the polls on August 9 to elect a new president and parliament, there won't be many female candidates to choose from. Male politicians have ignored court orders to implement the gender quota by blocking legislation, reports Cristina Krippahl for Deutsche Welle.

Bruhan Makong for Capital FM reports that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution has launched an election call centre as the country gears up for the general election to help bridge the gap between what is happening at police stations and what is happening on the ground during the election period.