Uhuru Kenyatta Re-elected in the 2017 Kenyan General Election

Name: Uhuru Kenyatta Re-elected in the 2017 Kenyan General Election
Start: 1961-08-08
Location: Unspecified

The 2017 Kenyan General Election: A Critical Moment

The 2017 **Kenyan General Election** marked a pivotal moment in the nation's political landscape. Following a fiercely contested campaign, the incumbent president, **Uhuru Kenyatta**, secured a second term in office by a significant margin, representing the **Jubilee Party of Kenya**. The election was characterized by deep political divisions and widespread allegations of electoral malpractice, leading to a highly contentious atmosphere.

Uhuru Kenyatta’s Victory

On August 8, 2017, **Uhuru Kenyatta** was pronounced the winner of the election, garnering about 54% of the votes against opposition leader **Raila Odinga**, who received approximately 44%. This victory was viewed positively by Kenyatta supporters but raised concerns among his opposition, particularly over the legitimacy of the electoral process. The **Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)** faced accusations of vote rigging and manipulation.

Reactions to the Election Results

Following the announcement of the results, **Raila Odinga** and his party, **NASA**, rejected the verdict, claiming that the elections were marred by irregularities. The opposition called for protests, igniting tensions across various regions. The aftermath of these elections saw a polarized society, with many Kenyans torn between supporting the Jubilee party or the opposition's calls for reform.

The Political Impact of the 2017 Elections

The aftermath of the 2017 elections led to significant political ramifications in Kenya. Following a series of protests, the Supreme Court was called upon to address the grievances raised by the opposition. In a shocking turn of events, the court ruled in favor of Odinga's assertions, leading to a historic decision to annul the election results.

The Supreme Court's Historic Ruling

On September 1, 2017, the Supreme Court of Kenya nullified **Uhuru Kenyatta's** victory, citing illegalities and irregularities in the electoral process. This unprecedented ruling marked the first time in Africa that an electoral outcome was voided by a high court, forcing the nation into a fresh election scheduled for October 26, 2017.

The Repeat Election and Its Challenges

The repeat election ultimately saw **Uhuru Kenyatta** re-elected once again, this time winning with even fewer votes, as opposition leader **Raila Odinga** opted to boycott the process. This led to ongoing discussions about electoral reforms and the need for greater transparency in the electoral process moving forward.

Fun Fact

Uhuru Kenyatta's Global Influence

Outside of his presidency, **Uhuru Kenyatta** is notable for having been the first sitting Kenyan president to face charges at the **International Criminal Court (ICC)** for alleged crimes against humanity, charges that he has continuously denied.