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The 2007 post-election violence

In 2007 there has been huge post-velection violence in Kenya after disputed elections. Below we will explain what happened.

Kenya is a presidential representative democratic republic. The current president of Kenya is Uhuru Kenyatta. At the moment the political situation is relatively stable as most people are supportive of the current president. This situation, however, was different in 2007. The two parties vying for government, Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) and Party for National Unity(PNU), were both backed up by different tribes. Opion polls prior to the election showed a narrow lead for ODM but after the elections PNU was declared as winner with 70% of the votes. ODM immediately rejected the results, stating they were rigged. The election results triggered heavy post-election violence that resulted in many casualties and revived rivalry between tribes. Hundreds of thousands of people were forced to leave their homes ending up at the homes of relatives or at IDPcamps. These camps are still existing 8 years later and conditions have not been improved significantly. 

To prevent this from happening again they held a referendum for changing the constitution, which was approved by 67% of the voters. This constitution devolves power for local governments, provides the people with a bil of right and paves the way for land reform. Next to this the electoral procedure and the police and security department have been revolved. This seems to work since the two last elections were relatively peacefull. 

 

http://www.responsibilitytoprotect.org/index.php/crises/crisis-in-kenya