Kenya: Police disperse opposition protests in Nairobi and Kisumu Oct. 11 /update 24

Event

On Wednesday, October 11, police used tear gas and shot live ammunition into the air to disperse a demonstration held by opposition protesters along Moi Avenue, of the capital Nairobi . Protesters are nonetheless expected to continue marching toward Anniversary Towers. despite the crackdown. Police also dispersed a second protest in Kisumu that started in the Kondele area and then moved toward the Central Business District. According to local sources, protesters set fire to tires on roads to block traffic in the Kondele area.

Both demonstrations were organized in response to opposition candidate Raila Odinga’s announcement that he was withdrawing from the upcoming presidential election re-run scheduled for October 26.

Further increasing political tensions, on Wednesday the Kenyan parliament approved electoral reforms - in a vote boycotted by the opposition - that stipulated if one candidate withdrew from a repeat presidential election, the other would automatically win. Once signed by the president, the law would immediately take effect. In the meantime, the High Court announced on Wednesday that the Kenyan election board should replace Odinga with Ekuru Aukot, who received less than 1 percent of the vote in the August presidential elections, on the October 26 ballot. As such, it is unclear whether incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta will automatically win the October 26 election or if he will run against Aukot. 

In any case, further protests are likely in the coming days.

Context

Following the August 8 presidential elections - in which sitting President Kenyatta won 54 percent of the vote – opposition candidate Odinga announced he would challenge the results before the Supreme Court. Violent protests broke out after the election in opposition strongholds on August 9; at least 24 people were killed in post-election violence between August 9 and August 14.

On September 1, the High Court released its final decision invalidating President Kenyatta’s August 8 re-election due to irregularities in vote counting. Much of the blame for the irregularities had been placed on the IEBC (Independant Electoral and Boundaries Commission), prompting renewed protests in Nairobi. The National Super Alliance (NASA) opposition coalition and Odinga have accused the IEBC of electoral fraud and said that demonstrations will continue until the officials are removed.

Advice

Individuals in Kenya are advised to avoid all public gatherings (particularly political events) due to the risk of violence and to monitor the situation. Be prepared to shelter in place in the event the security situation in the country deteriorates (stock up on food, water, and other necessities). Additionally, those undertaking long-distance travel within the country are advised to consider traveling via plane (rather than by road) to minimize exposure to security threats.