General elections were held in Kenya on 4 March 2013.Kenya sees huge election turnout but violence mostly limited to separatists The Guardian, 5 March 2013 Voters elected the President, members of the National Assembly and newly formed Senate. Also elected include governors, county women representatives and members of county assembly, (MCAs). They were the first elections held under the new constitution, which was approved in a 2010 referendum, and were also the first run by the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). They coincided with the 2013 Kenyan local elections.
The presidential election saw Uhuru Kenyatta of the National Alliance (TNA) defeat Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Incumbent President Mwai Kibaki was ineligible to pursue a third term due to the two-term limit established in Clause 142 of the Constitution of Kenya. This was the first Kenyan presidential election to include a joint-ticket system for deputy president, which was introduced in the 2010 Constitution. Kenyatta was joined on his ticket by William Ruto, while Odinga's running mate was Kalonzo Musyoka. Kenyatta was backed by the Jubilee Alliance, while Odinga was supported by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD). Kenyatta was declared the winner with 50.5% of the vote, meaning a second round of voting was not needed. Odinga unsuccessfully contested the results in the Supreme Court.IEBC declares Uhuru Kenya's fourth president Daily Nation, 9 March 2013
Background Election date The elections were originally scheduled for 14 August 2012 or December 2012 were planned for the election, depending on a court ruling to be issued. The court ruled that presidential and parliamentary elections should be held in March 2013.Kenya high court delays elections to March 2013 Reuters, 13 January 2012 This resulted in the resignation of several civil servants who wished to enter politics, as required by the Elections Act.Mutua leads exodus of state officers joining politics Nation, 3 September 2012 On 28 December 2012, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission announced the Notice of General Elections which confirmed polling day as 4 March. The nomination deadlines were set over a period between 29 January and 1 February, with presidential candidates submitting their nomination papers on 29 and 30 January.
Supreme Court On 13 January, the Judiciary indicated it would hear and determine within two weeks disputes on presidential election results. The Judiciary Working Committee on Election Preparations (JWCEP) announced that election petitions would be certified urgent.Courts to determine poll disputes in time Standard Digital, 13 January 2013 These rules were developed in pursuance of Article 163(8) of the constitution which mandates the Supreme Court to make rules for the exercise of its exclusive jurisdiction of hearing presidential election petition.Why this election may be won in courts The Star, 12 January 2013
Voter registration Voter registration ran from 19 November 2012 for 30 days.IEBC voter registration kicks off Nov 19 Standard Digital News, 12 November 2012IEBC starts off race to register 20 million voters Standard Digital News, 20 November 2012 Problems were reported during the first few days of the registration exercise included availability of electricity, military operations in some areas and logistical challenges caused by rains. IEBC says registration problems are minor Daily Nation, 22 November 2012 Another subsequent challenge was the inability to register prospective voters who were still awaiting issuance of their formal identity documents by the government.Kenyans with ID waiting cards could register as voters Capital FM, 6 December 2012 On 27 November, the government announced that, due to time and logistics constraints, there would be no attempts to register Kenyan voters in the diaspora.Kenyans in diaspora locked out of March poll Business Daily, 27 November 2012 The IEBC later announced a decision to register Kenyan diaspora voters living within the East African Community Countries.IEBC registers Kenyans in EAC member states Standard Digital, 19 December 2012 The ten-day exercise concluded on 25 December 2012 with low turnout attributed to "logistical challenges". The IEBC estimate was that about 1,700 people registered.IEBC registers 2,000 Kenyans in East African bloc Daily Nation, 27 December 2012
Voter registration was carried out using Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Kits which would reduce certain incidents of fraud. BVR kits finally arrive in Kenya Standard Digital News, 5 November 2012 The purchase of the BVR Kits was financed through a loan from Standard Chartered Kenya in a government-to-government deal involving Kenya and Canada made cheaper by a guarantee from the Canadian government. The Canadian government arranged to have its fully owned parastatal, Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), sign a contract with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).How BVR technology is poised to revolutionise voting in Kenya Business Daily Africa
A case was filed in court seeking to extend the voter registration period arguing that Section 5(1) of the Elections Act was in conflict with the Constitution to the extent that it limited continuous registration of voters.Kenya: Lawyers Sue IEBC Over Dec 18 Voter Listing Deadline All Africa, 14 December 2012 The courts however declined request to extend the deadline.Court declines to extend voter registration Standard Digital, 18 December 2012
After the 18 December deadline, the IEBC released the provisional voter numbers showing a registered base of 14.3 million voters. The IEBC indicated that they had missed their target of 18 million voters, citing voter apathy as one of reasons for this.IEBC misses target by four million voters Standard Digital, 21 December 2012 The IEBC begun an exercise to clean up the voters' roll with a target of opening it for verification early January 2013.IEBC cleaning up voters’ roll Daily Nation, 22 December 2012 On 13 January 2013 the IEBC opened its voter register for inspection; voters were to verify their details before 26 January to enable the commission clean the register ahead of the poll. The options include visiting respective registration centers, the IEBC website or the use of mobile phone numbers via an SMS service (using National Identity Card or Passport numbers used during registration).Voters urged to verify their details with IEBC Capital FM, 13 January 2013
The IEBC announced on 23 February 2013 that it had removed 20,000 voters who had registered more than once from the voter roll. The names were identified during continuing activities to clean up the register.IEBC removes 20,000 double registered voters from roll Daily Nation, 12 February 2013
Electoral system The 2010 constitution provided for a two-round system for presidential elections, the president having previously been elected on a first-past-the-post basis. In order to win in the first round, a candidate was required to receive over 50% of the vote, as well as 25% of the vote in at least 24 counties.Presidential Candidates Kenya Diaspora VoteArticle 138 (4) Constitution of Kenya 2010
Campaign Coalitions and alliances The law required all Kenyan political parties to register any coalition agreements with the Registrar of Political Parties by 4 December 2012. This resulted in several publicised discussions among key political players and their respective parties who aimed to form pre-election coalitions prior to the deadline. Another effect considered likely was a reduction in the number of prospective candidates.Inside the Uhuru-Ruto deal Daily Nation, 29 November 2012 Four coalitions formed by the deadline include: The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy: ODM, Wiper Party, Ford-Kenya and the Federal Party of Kenya.Alliance exudes confidence of victory in General Election Standard Digital, 23 December 2012 The Jubilee Alliance: TNA, URP and UDF Parties.Uhuru, Ruto, Mudavadi in new coalition pact Daily Nation, 4 December 2012 UDF later left the coalition.Mudavadi leaves Jubilee coalition The Star, 21 December 2012 Machel Waikenda was the director of communications and secretary of arts and entertainment of the National Alliance, from April 2012 to August 2013 and he led the media and communications department of the party during the 2013 elections.Youthful TNA team to reap from Uhuru’s win Capital FM, 14 March 2013 Eagle Alliance: KNC and POA PartiesKenneth, Tuju to hold joint nominations Daily Nation, 6 December 2012 Pambazuka Coalition: New FORD Kenya, National Vision Party, Federal Party of Kenya and KADDU Parties.Wamalwa to battle out other aspirants in coalition deal Standard Digital, 5 December 2012 The coalition collapsed on 29 December 2012.Jirongo, Wamalwa coalition collapses Capital FM, 29 December 2012 Amani Coalition: UDF, New Ford Kenya and KANU Parties (formed after the UDF exit from the Jubilee Coalition.Mudavadi, Wamalwa, Moi form Amani coalition The Star, 4 January 2013
The release of the calendar resulted in several parties opting to hold their nominations on 17 January 2013.Confusion ahead of Jan 17 party nominations deadline The Star, 14 January 2013 The IEBC proposed public school shut down on 17 January 2013, as the schools would be the venue for a significant number of nomination activities across the country.IEBC proposes public schools closure to allow party primaries Daily Nation, 14 January 2013 The Government confirmed that public schools would not open on 17 January 2013.Public schools closed Thursday to allow primaries Daily Nation, 15 January 2013 The government later announced that Public primary schools would for the second day (18 January 2013) remain closed to allow party primaries to continue.Public schools to remain closed on Friday Standard Digital, 19 January 2013 On 19 January the IEBC indicated that political aspirants who lost during respective party primaries are not allowed to defect and seek tickets on other parties after Midnight on 18 January 2013. By law, political parties were expected to nominate their candidates for an election at least 45 days before.IEBC warns party primaries losers Standard Digital, 19 January 2013
While other parties and coalitions held their nominations early, the Jubilee, Amani and CORD coalitions chose to hold country wide their nominations two days before the deadline. These were marked with disorganization and chaos with protests arising in Nairobi, Nyanza and Central provinces.Disarray as TNA conducts nominations Capital FM, 18 January 2013Chaos rocks Nyanza over nominations The Star, 21 January 2013
Further acrimony arose over issuance of certificates by political parties, with over 200 complaints filed with the IEBC disputes and Resolution panelIEBC to pronounce over 200 verdicts on party primaries Capital FM, 26 January 2013 The committee consisted of 4 IEBC Commissioners and one official from the Director of Public Prosecutions office. The committee held its sittings at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi. Complaints raised included issuing of certificates not losers, nepotism and discrimination.IEBC starts hearing primaries disputes Thursday Standard Digital, 24 January 2013 The committee had seven days to complete the arbitration process with those dissatisfied with the tribunal's decision asked to lodge their cases with the High Court.IEBC dispute team warns aspirants over ticket Daily Nation, 23 January 2013 The panel eventually announced 3 days of hearings.Election team gives three days to hear nomination cases Business Daily, 23 January 2013 The Panel completed its work on 28 January 2013 dismissing 64 out of 207 petitions following failure by complainants to attend. 29 applications did not need determination as Political parties conceded to the complaints.Big names survive poll disputes Capital FM, 28 January 2013
Presidential candidates