March to November 2007: Campaign period officially opens. Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU) campaigns emphasizing economic growth and continuity. Raila's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) campaigns emphasizing constitutional reform, devolution, and restoration of Prime Minister position. Ethnic mobilization increases as both campaigns appeal to regional constituencies.
December 27, 2007: Polling day. High turnout of approximately 65-70 percent. Early results suggest competitive race with outcomes uncertain through evening of polling day.
December 28-30, 2007: Electoral Commission of Kenya tallies votes. Discrepancies emerge between official tallies and observer tallies. Samuel Kivuitu announces Kibaki's victory on December 30. ODM rejects results and calls for recount or re-election.
December 31, 2007 to January 2008: Post-election violence escalates, beginning primarily in Rift Valley but spreading to other regions. Deaths and displacement mount rapidly.
January 2008: International mediation begins. Kofi Annan arrives to lead shuttle diplomacy. Violence continues but negotiations proceed in parallel.
February 2008: National Accord and Reconciliation Agreement is finalized. Raila is appointed Prime Minister. Grand Coalition government begins formation.
2008-2009: Post-election violence gradually subsides. Waki Commission investigates violence. ICC opens preliminary examinations into potential crimes.
2009-2010: Constitutional review process begins, eventually resulting in comprehensive constitutional reform and the 2010 Constitution.
See Also
Sources
- Electoral Commission of Kenya (2008). "The 2007 General Elections in Kenya: Official Results." Nairobi: ECK. https://www.eck.or.ke/public-documents/election-results
- Waki, Philip et al. (2008). "Commission of Inquiry into Post-Election Violence, Kenya." Government of Kenya. https://www.krckenya.org
- Branch, Daniel (2011). "Kenya: Between Hope and Despair, 1992-2011." Yale University Press. https://www.yalebooks.com
- International IDEA (2009). "The December 2007 General Elections in Kenya: Findings and Recommendations." https://www.idea.int/publications