On Tuesday 9 August, the four candidates in Kenya’s general election will compete with some 22 million Kenyans called to the polls to decide the winner. It is precisely turnout that has become an issue – common to many democracies these days – particularly youth turnout. The number of young registered voters has dropped by 5 per cent since the 2017 poll, in contrast to the over-35s, whose numbers have increased, the Electoral Commission of Kenya announced last month (https://www.africanews.com/amp/2022/07/28/kenya-worries-about-youth-turnout-at-elections/).
This finding of possible low turnout among the younger generation could have major consequences for the elections. According to the polls, the challenge between the two main contenders, Raila Odinga and William Ruto, would have all the characteristics of an intergenerational challenge, with the latter favoured most among young people up to 35.
he two main candidates in the election are in fact, William Ruto, Kenyatta’s vice-president, self-proclaimed spokesman for the ‘hustlers’, the young people without economic security crushed by the gig-economy, who are up against the Kenyan caste, i.e. those who come from the country’s main clans. On the other, Raila Odinga, the historic opposition leader to Kenyatta’s rule in the country, who, paradoxically, after the famous October 2018 handshake with Uhuru Kenyatta, is presenting himself in this election as the candidate of continuity of government (https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/august-9-moment-of-truth-for-kenya-3906104). In addition to them, two lawyers are also running for president: George Wajackoyah, whose main effort has been to create jobs through the production of marijuana for industrial use, and David Mwaure, who has campaigned to tackle corruption in government (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-62394406).
There is also a gender aspect to these elections, following the appointment of former Cabinet minister Martha Karua as Odinga’s running mate. Should Odinga win, Ms Karua would become the first woman in the country to hold a position that has remained the preserve of men since independence. Since her nomination, several gubernatorial candidates have also nominated women as their running mates, which means there could be more female deputy governors this time around after the advent of devolution. There is also the gender aspect to this election, following the nomination of former cabinet minister Martha Karua as Odinga’s running mate. Should Odinga win, Karua would become the first woman in the country to hold a position that has remained the preserve of men since independence. Since her nomination, several gubernatorial candidates have also nominated women as their running mates, which means there could be more female deputy governors this time around.
