Category: Politics
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Raila Odinga’s Grand Finale
In July 2006, at a time when Kenya was hurtling towards its most contentious presidential election pitting the opposition’s Raila Amolo Odinga against incumbent Emilio Mwai Kibaki, Nigerian academic professor Babafemi Badejo released Odinga’s biography titled ‘Raila Odinga: An Enigma in Kenyan Politics’
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William Ruto’s Grand Hustle
Whether he ascends to Kenya’s presidency on August 9 or not, at 55, deputy president William Samoei Ruto has done the impossible. This is partly courtesy of safeguards entrenched in the country’s 2010 Constitution – which prevented President Uhuru Kenyatta from sacking Ruto or forcing him to resign – and partly thanks to Ruto’s own…
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2022, Kenya’s Second Most Expensive Election
At an average cost of about KSh. 2,000 per voter, the August 9 general election is one of the most expensive elections in Africa and the second most expensive in Kenya.
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2022, A Win for Intersex Persons
Until 2019, intersex persons were not officially recognised in Kenya’s national population data. But during the Housing and Population Census held that year, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) included a marker for a third gender which signaled a significant step towards inclusivity.
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2022, What’s in it for the Women?
At 49.12% of the registered voters, women make up almost half of the electorate, and thus any serious political contender must go the extra mile in seeking to appease such a significant national constituency.
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The Royal Rumble
In the blue corner, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition. And in the Yellow Corner, Deputy President William Samoei Ruto of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.
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The President’s on the Line and Other Short Stories: Moses Wetangula
After the 1992 general elections, Kenya developed a strong opposition team, that President Moi and KANU considered a headache. Moi called Wetangula and nominated him to parliament to…
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The Presidential Series
The journeys of presidential aspirants, whose stories intertwine with Kenya’s history, are explored in these compelling profiles.
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Why Politicians Obsess Over The First 100 Days
Politicians are entering the final stretch of their campaigns. One of the most popular campaign phrases today is “In the Next 100 days” as candidates make pledges to the electorate. But what’s the obsession with the 100 day promise and where did it come from?
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What’s In The Finance Secretary’s Briefcase?
Among other traditions of the budget day in Kenya, one that never misses is the finance secretary’s briefcase pose. But how did this tradition come to be?