By Scott A. Morgan.
If one judges the reactions from around the world after the recent elections in Kenya the proper phrase that can be used is "State of Shock."
This election cycle was one of the most contested in the history of Kenya. The turnout was reported to be high in some areas. This was described as democracy being practiced in what some felt was the most politically and economically stable country in Africa. What has happened since shows that we were terribly wrong.
The early exit polls were showing that the incumbent President Kibaki was trailing the main opposition candidate Raila Odinga(photo) by substantial numbers. However there were scattered reports of violence throughout the country.
But on the actual day the ballots were cast there were large turnouts and relative peace and quiet. But what happened afterwards turned what was a bastion of calm in East Africa into a fair copy of Dante’s Inferno.
When it was time to count the ballots the count was gradually released to the country. The lead that Mr. Odinga had was gradually beginning to erode. Another point of contention was the fact that the Electoral Commission was not forthright in releasing the numbers.
The press conference that was held to announce that President Kibaki was in fact reelected President turned into a farce. Losing Candidate Mr. Odinga actually had numbers stating that he was the duly elected president of Kenya.
What happened afterwards is tragic and baffling. Riots broke out across the country as the supporters of the opposition expressed their displeasure with the announced election results. As the violence spread across the country observers from the United States and the EU had to backtrack from prior statements. They felt that although the run up to the elections had problems with some violence generally they were free and fair. But the process of ballot counting had shocked observers.
One of the first things that the government did was stop all live news broadcasts in the hours following the beginning of the violence. This did not stop the spreading of violence that is literally affecting all areas of the country. The death toll is currently in the hundreds and no place has been spared. As this report is being compiled there are reports of at least 50 people being incinerated in a church while seeking refuge from the violence.
Currently Kenya is a key western ally in the War on Terror. It has been seen as a bastion of stability in a region of uncertainty. There are conflicts in neighboring Somalia and Ethiopia. There is also a sizable community from Uganda in Nairobi as well. I don’t have to mention what is going on in either Darfur, the Congo or Zimbabwe. So the general consensus was that the elections were just a sign of a healthy democracy in action. What has happened appears to be a fraud that is morphing into a tragedy.
Over the last few years Africa has been the scene of controversial elections. From Zimbabwe to the Congo there have been a series of elections where rulers have had "Legitimate" victories or reelections. Generally fraud has been involved in these elections. When what several people consider to be a "Stable Democracy" has a fit like this what will the spin be? That will be the question best answered in Washington, Addis Ababa, London and Brussels.
The author publishes the E-Zine Confused Eagle which can be seen at morganrights.tripod.com His email is at scott_morgan_23220@yahoo.com
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