Using round 4 afrobaromter survey data from 20 african countries in. Ethnic politics and postelection violence of 20078 in kenya. As many as 1,400 people died in violence after kenya s last presidential elections in 2007 getty images nairobi, kenya naivasha is a small town in the rift valley, on the shores of a beautiful. The truth, justice and reconciliation commission of kenya. The consequences of postelection violence on antiretroviral. Pdf resilience in the face of postelection violence in kenya. The 200708 kenyan crisis was a political, economic, and humanitarian crisis that erupted in kenya after former president mwai kibaki was declared the winner of the presidential election held on december 27, 2007. Was accused of five counts of crimes against humanity in the context of the 20072008 post election violence in kenya. Postelection violence continues in kenya, as opposition leader returns politicallyfueled violence has broken out in kenya again. Causes of electoral violence in africa written by ngah.
Post election police operations on august 8, kenya held its second presidential election since the disputed 2007 election that resulted in violence in which more than 1,100 people were killed and. While there has been relative peace, general calmness and a running. However, when crimes against humanity were alleged to have been committed in kenya during the 20072008 post election violence, a promising road map for criminal accountability was agreed upon alongside a political solution. Post election political violence 2 joint mission to kenya to carry out research into the roots and repercussions of the violence. The head of the african union was traveling to kenya for crisis talks to end an explosion of post election violence that has killed more than 275 people, including dozens burned alive as they. During my dissertation and post dissertation fieldwork in kenya and india, i was often struck by how my intervieweesincluding political elitesframed the issue of electoral violence. Although much has been written about the kenya post election violence, little has been said about the role the countrys indigenous civil society groups played in the mediation process, and to end. Those memories reduced the appeal of vio lence and encouraged restraint during the 20 elections. He had come to broker a deal after disputed elections that had mwai kibaki, the incumbent, declared the winner against raila odinga. However, in countries like kenya before 2010, zimbabwe, nigeria, ivory coast and ethiopia, which have quasiindependent judiciaries opposition candidates use post election violence. The 2008 post election violence played out largely on ethnic lines, and ethnicity continues to play an inordinate role in kenyan political life. The recent 2016 post election crisis in gabon12 that left scores dead seems to shows that electoral violence is an intractable phenomenon on the continent. Violence erupted across kenya in opposition strongholds following last weeks. This research seeks to examine the causes and effects of post election violence on agricultural production in kesses division, uasin gishu county.
The announcement of the results of the 27 december 2007 general election in kenya triggered widespread violence, resulting in the deaths of over a thousand people, thousands of people being injured, and several hundreds of thousands of people being. Preventing postelection violence based on the kenyan experience. In kenya, the 20072008 election left about 1500 people dead. Kenyan red cross officials say at least 17 people have died in postelection violence in nairobi and kisumu. Mr odinga believes he was robbed of victory in both the 2007 and 20 elections. The fighting resulted in 1,3 casualties, at least 350,000 internally displaced persons idps, approximately 2,000 refugees, significant, but unknown, numbers of sexual violence victims, and the destruction of 117,216 private properties and 491 governmentowned properties including. Electoral violence, usually perpetrated along ethnic lines, has been commonplace in kenya since the introduction of multiparty politics in 1991. The aftermath of recent kenyan elections has been marred by violence and an apparent crisis in democratic governance, with the negotiated settlement resulting from the 2007 election bringing into sharp focus longstanding problems of state and. Kenya s press has admitted to selfcensorship after the august 8th poll to avoid a repeat of 2008s post election violence. However, the violence that shook kenya after the 2007 general elections was unprecedented. Oct 16, 2008 in some ways the post election violence resembled the ethnic clashes of the 1990s and was but an episode in a trend of institutionalization of violence in kenya over the years.
About 20 local and international groups said in a letter to kenyan health and security officials that there were at least 60 cases of sexual violence during the august election period and that. Kenya went to the polls on december 27th, but, in all likeliness, the elections were flawed, a fact that has since been confirmed by the election commission of kenya chairman himself as well as both local and international observers including those from the european union incumbent president mwai kibaki was assured a second term from the outset, something the electorate was not aware of. Jan 02, 2008 kenya s disputed presidential election triggers an explosion of violence that has killed more than 275 people, including dozens burned alive as they sought refuge in a church. Aug, 2017 kenya, one of africas most vibrant democracies, has a history of election related violence. The incidence, gravity and intensity of violence have all increased in recent years. The commission of inquiry on postelection violence 2009 that investigated kenyas 200708 postelection violence attributed the countrys history of electoral violence to a combination of longstanding conflict drivers. Electoral violence and the prevention of violent conflict. The joint mission, which visited kenya between 29 march and 9 april 1998, had four main objectives. An exploration of the effects of postelection violence in kenyas. Kenya, one of africas most vibrant democracies, has a history of election related violence.
Causes and effects of postelection violence on agricultural production in kesses division, uasin gishu county, kenya 1chedotum kamunyan. Sexual violence against women and girls in kenyas 2017. An empirical examination of existing theories gregory wallsworth october 28, 2015 abstract recent studies of election violence in africa found violence mars as many as 80 percent of african elections. Kenya since 20072008 postelection violence daily nation. Conflict analysis of 2007 postelection violence in kenya. Their restriction to manual labor and other simple routine tasks kept. Nov 18, 2017 post election violence continues in kenya, as opposition leader returns politicallyfueled violence has broken out in kenya again. To do this, we must fi rst understand the history of political violence in kenya and what factors in society contribute to a tendency of utilising violence as a means of obtaining political infl uence. Postelection violence continuing across kenya 28 jan 08. Death toll nears 800 as postelection violence spirals out of. Postelection violence in kenya and its aftermath center. See appendix 2 for a map of the main different ethnic groups in kenya.
Kenya has a long history of politicized violence, and, for some kenyans and foreign observers, the icc cases represent an important first step toward establishing accountability, and as a. The impact of the 20072008 post election violence on women. Election report kenya 2017 general and presidential. Violence erupts in kenya over new election law news al. The 2010 presidential election in ivory coast recorded about 3000 deaths. Oct 28, 2018 kenya s press has admitted to selfcensorship after the august 8th poll to avoid a repeat of 2008s post election violence. Over individuals were killed and 600,000 were displaced during post election violence pev in kenya in 2008. The commission of inquiry into postelection violence cipev was the outcome of the kenya national dialogue and reconciliation accord of february 28, 2008, negotiated by kofi annan and the panel of eminent african personalities, and its sister agreement of march 4, 2008, known as agenda item 4, which called for the establishment of a number of. The severity of this conflict unfolded in a span of 59 days between election day, december 27th, 2007 to february 28th, 2008, when a political compromise was reached. Justice for postelection violence in kenya an obituary. The 2007 postelection violence in kenya, however, was of a different magnitude. The fighting resulted in 1,3 casualties, at least 350,000 internally displaced persons idps, approximately 2,000 refugees, significant, but unknown, numbers of sexual violence victims, and the destruction of 117,216 private properties and 491 governmentowned. Jan 28, 2008 the monthlong violence, in which nearly 800 people have died, was sparked by the disputed re election of president mwai kibaki, has now changed into a raw ethnic conflict pitting mainly kalenjins.
Aug 14, 2017 kenyan red cross officials say at least 17 people have died in post election violence in nairobi and kisumu. Susan stigant is a senior program officer in usips center for governance, law, and society. Kenya s disputed presidential election triggers an explosion of violence that has killed more than 275 people, including dozens burned alive as they sought refuge in a church. Political violence in kenya united states international. About the authors the lead author, claire elder, worked as a consultant with international crisis groups horn of africa project in nairobi, kenya, where she monitored and researched the 20 kenyan general elections. Th is paper focuses on political violence in kenya. Also see my separate pages about current travel advice, a timeline of the events, the details of the powersharing deal and the official election results.
Election related violence is not limited to physical violence but includes other coercive means, such as the threat of violence, intimidation and harassment. Th e rationale of the paper is to understand how such violence can best be prevented. Causes of electoral violence the causes of electoral violence are multifaceted, and can. Causes and effects of postelection violence on agricultural. But by refusing to inform the public has the media lost credibility. In the spirit of this road map, the author analyzes the post election violence in kenya from a legal point of view. Pdf explaining postelection violence in kenya and zimbabwe. Instead, the iebc hastily declared the final presidential election results on aug.
Odinga calls on president to concede as violence continues duration. Rather than denying that major episodes of election time violence involved. Kenya has been riddled with conflict and violence throughout its brief history as a nation. The chapter discusses some scholarly works on contextual concepts, historical ethnic divisions in kenya and the origin of political parties. Ethnic politics, postelection, violence jomo kenyatta, and kenya. For many, such conflict had come to be a normalized aspect of their nations politics. The truth, justice and reconciliation commission of kenya tjrc was established in 2008. Preventing postelection violence based on the kenyan. The iebc was forced to revert back to the manual tallying system that many.
Box 3 isiolo 2department of applied environmental social sciences. Commission of inquiry into the post election violence. Kenyans turn to technology to prevent election violence. Violence erupts following the election results in kenya view photos kenya s election commission announced on aug. Case information sheet international criminal court. Methodology focus of the study was restricted on the role played by women in conflict management following the 20072008 post election violence. Commission of inquiry into the post election violence konrad. Jul 15, 2014 the post election violence that shook kenya six years ago may have included 40,000 incidents of sexual and genderbased violence, according to amnesty international, which is calling on the. Police fire tear gas at protesters who fear changes approved by parliament could lead to victory for president kenyatta. The fighting resulted in 1,3 casualties, at least 350,000 internally displaced persons idps, approximately 2,000 refugees, significant, but unknown, numbers of sexual violence victims, and the destruction of 117,216 private properties and 491 governmentowned properties including offices, vehicles, health centers and schools. Causes of electoral violence in africa written by ngah gabriel sous dir.
Report of the commission of inquiry into the postelection violence. This page explains the backgrounds of the kenya election violence. The kenya election violence explained kenya advisor. Despite some clashes preceding the vote, and following the courts decision, the nation avoided a repeat of the 20072008 post election violence. A number of factors contributed to a predominantly peaceful election, including a general consensus between the political elite and the citizenry not to bring kenya to the brink of civil war again.
Kenya failing postelection violence victims, says amnesty. Nature of the violence the majority of kenya s post election violence took place in january and february, 2008. Between september 25 and november 24, 2017 human rights watch interviewed 65 women, three girls, and three men who experienced sexual violence during the election period, including seven cases of. Ethnicbased violence has a long history in the country, fueled by grievances over land, privilege, and inequality. This was widely confirmed by international observers, as being. Conclusions based on an empirical analysis of post election violence conducted at the constituency level in kenya on december 27, 2007, and zimbabwe on march 29, 2008, are presented. The kenyan commission of inquiry into postelection violence background the commission of inquiry into postelection violence cipev was the outcome of the kenya national dialogue and reconciliation accord of february 28, 2008, negotiated by kofi annan and the panel of eminent african personalities, and its sister agreement of. Kenya 2017 general and presidential elections 5 provided by the law to consolidate and post all the official polling station results forms. Kenya since 20072008 postelection violence sunday august 6 2017 elizabeth wangui wails after a church in the background was burnt in kiambaa, eldoret during the 20072008 postelection violence. It was banned by the kenya government in 2002 but is believed to still be operational and to be responsible for post election violence in 20072008. Kenyans still recall the devastating impact of previous episodes of conflict, particularly the 200708 postelection violence. The highlevel pleading is a signal to how important annan was to the mediation talks between kibaki and raila odinga in the aftermath of the 200708 post election crisis. This includes high levels of sexual and genderbased violence and of intercommunal violence. Intelligence concerning postelection violence and its use.
Kenya death toll rises in postelection violence financial. The commission of inquiry into the post election violence cipev implicated the police in acts of violence and killings during the post election violence. Annans history with kenya begins on late january 2008 when he arrived in nairobi with all the backing of the united nations, the african union, the european union, and united states. In this paper, i perform an analysis of the conflict to examine why widespread violence erupted in the wake of kibakis presidential reelection. First is the perception of historic marginalization by certain ethnic groups as a consequence of. Supporters of kibakis opponent, raila odinga of the orange democratic movement, alleged electoral manipulation. Several people were killed in clashes between demonstrators and security services as opposition leader raila odinga returned home. Kenyas political culture had certainly for a long time been more violent than tanzanias. The notion of kenya as a ticking time bomb is prevalent within the local population. The impact of the 20072008 post election violence on.
Sadly, violence has been a part of kenyas electoral processes since the restoration of multi party politics in 1991. Apr 26, 2011 the commission of inquiry into post election violence cipev was the outcome of the kenya national dialogue and reconciliation accord of february 28, 2008, negotiated by kofi annan and the panel of eminent african personalities, and its sister agreement of march 4, 2008, known as agenda item 4, which called for the establishment of a number of bodies of inquiry to address. Furthermore, the acquisition of political power is seen as a zero sum game in which. Elections and violent conflict in kenya the web site cannot be found.
Following the announcement of presidential election results on december 30, 2007, kenya ex perienced the worst electoral violence since the inception of multiparty politics in 1992, leaving more than 1,100 people dead, 650,000 displaced, and the country deeply divided. Media coverage of the 2007 postelection violence in kenya. In some ways the post election violence resembled the ethnic clashes of the 1990s and was but an episode in a trend of institutionalization of violence in kenya over the years. Proceedings terminated by trial chamber vb on march 2015. While kenyas most recent 20 elections were largely peaceful, the disputed december 2007 vote brought the country to the edge of civil war, with ethnically driven postelection violence leaving over 1,200 killed and 600,000 displaced. Aug 11, 2009 nature of the violence the majority of kenya s post election violence took place in january and february, 2008. First is the perception of historic marginalization by certain ethnic groups as a. It was by far the most deadly and the most destructive violence ever experienced in kenya.
The objective was to explain the causes of ethnic politics in kenya which led to the. Post colonial officials lavished themselves with political and economic favours in a pattern that has. Kenyas 2007 post election violence surface syracuse. Mr odinga believes he was robbed of victory in both the 2007 and 20 elections through manipulation. Postelection violence continues in kenya, as opposition. Antiretroviral therapy art depends on continuous access to medications which may have been interrupted due to pev. Following the 2005 election in ethiopia, election related violence led to about 200 deaths. Aug 03, 2017 in kenya, where elections can lead to violence, advocates pin their hopes on technology. Apr 08, 2016 justice for postelection violence in kenya an obituary posted on april 8, 2016 by mark kersten champions of international accountability join with the survivors of human rights violations in kenya to announce the premature death of justice for crimes perpetrated in the aftermath of the 2007 elections. Background on the postelection crisis in kenya center. The kenyan commission of inquiry into postelection violence. The aftermath of the 2007 elections was the turning point of the national police reform agenda.
The majority of kenyas postelection violence took place in january and february, 2008. Kenya has been at a political cross road ever since the close of the 2007 general elections. Aug 12, 2017 violence erupts following the election results in kenya view photos kenya s election commission announced on aug. The 2007 election fiasco has exposed the deliberate stoking of ethnic tension by powerhungry elites, feeble democratic traditions and institutions in kenya, one that threatens to consume it if not adequately addressed. Pdf older people in slum settings are a vulnerable subgroup during crises, yet have. The commission of inquiry on post election violence 2009 that investigated kenya s 200708 post election violence attributed the countrys history of electoral violence to a combination of longstanding conflict drivers. At least 24 reportedly killed in kenya postelection violence.
Kenya article 19 defending freedom of expression and. Aug 06, 2017 kenya since 20072008 postelection violence sunday august 6 2017 elizabeth wangui wails after a church in the background was burnt in kiambaa, eldoret during the 20072008 postelection violence. Revisiting postelection violence openedition journals. In kenya, the media, particularly local language radio, have been accused of being responsible for fuelling ethnic hatred and violence in the aftermath of the 2007 presidential elections. Kenya will hold general elections on march 4, the first elections since the serious violence that engulfed the country after the 2007 polls and the first under kenyas new constitution. The magnitude of the trauma and structural violence that took place in kenya after the fourth multiparty general election took both kenyans and the. View map of the post election violence hotspots in kenya. Similar accusations were made concerning the 2005 referendum campaign. The announcement of the disputed 2007 presidential election results in kenya on december 27th, 2007 led to what could be described as the worst political crisis in kenyan post colonial history. Post election violence continues in kenya, as opposition leader returns politicallyfueled violence has broken out in kenya again. Oucho as kenyans brace for normalcy following the recent postelection violence which engulfed kenya in the first two months of 2008, they should be wary of undercurrents of the violence that have farreaching implications for the countrys future. Charges were withdrawn by prosecution on 5 december 2014. Several people were killed in clashes between demonstrators and.
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