Elections in Kenya

A wall in Donholm defaced with election posters. 

In most African countries, elections bring a sense of change. Also, a great sense of fear. Fear of contested results and rigging, which eventually ends up in violence. Tension from a regime holding onto power by all means and opposition determined to take it away can be a great environment for chaos.

Kenya is the second-largest economic hub in East Africa, held its sixth general elections on the 8th of August 2017. But even with heightened development and promotion of democracy, elections in Kenya are always a trigger for people to recoil back to the tribes. And the tension has even been heightened after the supreme court nullified the August 8 poll. 

 

A country that is still vulnerable to historical violence during and shortly after election periods, especially 2007 one, the repeat presidential election set for October 26 is a defining moment for the country. In readiness for elections in Kenya, businesses suffer most as more people move back to their ancestral villages, while others avoid spending money altogether. We asked a few people from Nairobi their views on the repeat elections and the effects it's having on business.

Business is low

A real estate owner in Mukuru slum, Mr. Kinyua is looking forward to October 26, “I want this period to be over already. I have lost half of my tenants while the other half never pay rent in full. Most of my tenants are moving to be close to their tribesmen due to fear of being attacked by people from a different tribe. I have so many vacant houses, and I am losing a lot of my money. As a society, we have a long way to go to overcome these unnecessary phenomena created during elections ”.

Mercy is a school accountant, and she will be voting back at the village where she comes from/where she was born. “I am not taking any chances with my life. In case there will be violence, I want to be in a place where I feel safe.“

Jackline, a business lady from Kariobangi dealing with second-hand shoes, in frustration tells us how she has lost most of her business for the three consecutive months since July. “I remember clearly on the election day, there was a high presence of GSU in our estate. Immediately after our votes, most people stayed indoors, hence opening my business was pointless. This happened for two more days; several of my customers have told me that they are saving in case of violence. It is sad to see my community live in such fear”. 

Tribalism

In most cases, women and children are the ones moving back to the village. From history, they bear the brunt of a full-blown war. Mary, a business lady from Korogocho slums dealing with greengrocery, is yet to come to terms with her loss in the business.

’’Most of my customers have gone to the villages before the 8th August poll. Now I have to relive that again during the repeat. Tribalism is our biggest enemy, and our leaders thrive on it. I am afraid of the upcoming elections in Kenya, as a community your tribe is a thorny issue’’. 

Jane, a single mother and a business lady in Korogocho, is worried that her greengrocery business may never flourish again. “At this moment tribe is the most sensitive issue here. Tribalism is creating mistrust within the community, and I have lost a lot of my customers”. 

Fear

So is it that Kenyans don’t learn anything from history? Grace (not her real name) confirms that this would be her first time going home because of an election in Kenya. Grace says though it will give her time to be with her family, she also feels better being with her people in case violence erupts. “I want to die with my parents just in case of anything”, she says.

A hairdresser who also wants to remain anonymous says: ”I always cast my vote back at the village. I don’t think there will be violence after the election, but as the past has taught us anything it is to be prepared. So we are stocking food at the village just in case.”

“I wouldn't blame the declining economy fully on politics because my business started declining immediately when drought was declared in Kenya”, said Peter. 

Peter, a second-hand clothes dealer from Mukuru slums, says most of his customers redirect the small portion of money set aside for buying clothes into buying food. The prices of household commodities increased because of drought.     

As accusations and counter-accusations are declared in campaign trials more Kenyans look forward to the end of October, because the outcomes will determine what happens to the ordinary Kenyans.