Uhuru Kenyatta wins repeat poll Daily Brief: Monday October 30 2017

Kenya's president, Uhuru Kenyatta, poses for a selfie after he cast his vote in his hometown of Gatundu

Nairobi, Kenya

After weeks of uncertainty and unrest in Kenya, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has declared the incumbent-Uhuru Kenyatta- as the winner of the repeat poll that was held on October 26. Mr. Kenyatta won with 98% of the vote. The election was marred by low voter turnout and a boycott from the opposition leader, Mr. Raila Odinga. Elections in four counties had to be postponed due to violent protests. The 38% voter turnout may signal voter apathy and disillusionment from the public with regards to the country's leadership.
In his victory speech, Uhuru said, “I want to thank those who came out to vote for me, despite violent, intimidation and witchcraft.”

“The Supreme Court directive was difficult even for me. Any other country that experienced what we went through would have burst asunder. But since the law is supreme, I submitted myself to the decision.”

The IEBC defended themselves from the bungled election. The chairman, Mr. Wafula Chebukati , while announcing the results noted said "I'm satisfied that we were able to meet conditions that enabled the commission to deliver a free, fair and credible election...I am confident we did everything to ensure every Kenyan exercised their right to vote....We came up with a fresh presidential election management team to address concerns. To us as IEBC, all Kenyans and observers, we have had a free, fair and credible election."

The opposition leader, on the other hand, dismissed calls to quit politics after losing. At a rally in Nairobi, Raila said,“Those in Jubilee always say I should retire and that I am old. Those who say I am old, am I the age of their mother or father? When Uhuru and Ruto say that I am old, tell them I am not the age of their father or mother. They should not be bothered by someone’s age,”
“We must condemn the militarization of politics in our country. We have continuously seen police officers in combat gear storming our villages shooting aimlessly at our people,” he told his supporters while commenting on the violence and police brutality on his supporters.

The country is on edge as it appears that the country is headed to political uncertainty. Will there be sporadic violence? Will the opposition accept the results? Will they use the court to seek justice for their grievances? How will this impact Uhuru's second term if he were to be sworn in? What is his legacy going to be and will this election define his legacy the way President Mwai Kibaki will be remembered for being in power during the worst violence in Kenya's post-colonial history? Time will tell.