Kenya's 2022 Presidential Poll Drama Far From Over

Kenya's William Ruto was declared the winner of the August 9, 2022, election in the midst of chaotic scenes last witnessed on the eve of the infamous 2007-2008 post-election violence. Ruto, running under the Kenya Kwanza coalition, defeated Raila Odinga of the Azimio coalition by polling 50.49% of the vote against Odinga's 48.85%. The announcement followed days of confusion over the likely winner, The Conversation Africa reports.

The confusion was heightened just before the announcement of the election results, when four of the seven commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) addressed a press conference and disowned the yet-to-be-announced results. "We have done the 2022 general elections in the most effective and efficient manner and ensured all the challenges have been contained but some things need to be put out there," said Juliana Cherera, the IEBC's vice chairperson. "We are rejecting the results the Chairman is about to announce... due to the opaqueness of the process during the final phase."

As Cherera addressed the press conference, a section of Raila-allied leaders were kicked out of the Bomas of Kenya national tallying centre where they attempted to confront IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati as he prepared to release the final results.

Odinga has rejected the presidential results, Capital FM reports. Speaking during a press conference at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Odinga said that the figures announced by Chebukati were "null and void and must be quashed by a court of law."

Capital FM reports that chaos rocked various parts of the country on Monday August 15, 2022, after the election announcement. In Kondele, Kisumu, shops were looted after mobs barricaded roads and lit bonfires while blowing whistles. Similar scenarios were witnessed in Nairobi, Kibera, Mathare, Kawangware, Jogoo Road and Baba Dogo, among other informal settlements.