-
-
Following an invitation from the Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya (IEBC), the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr Kamalesh Sharma, constituted an Observer Group for the General Elections of 4 March 2013. Prior to his final decision on whether to constitute a Commonwealth Observer Group, the Secretary-General initially sent an Assessment Mission to Kenya to assess the prevailing situation as well as the pre-electoral environment. The Assessment Mission was in the country in January 2013.
-
The 4 March 2013 elections were the tenth general elections since Kenya’s independence. Elections in Kenya, under universal adult suffrage, began with polls in May 1963 (under British rule) to decide who would lead Kenya into independence. The Kenya African National Union (KANU), led by Jomo Kenyatta, emerged victorious.
-
-
Campaigns during the 2013 elections in Kenya were held in a generally peaceful environment, though there were reports of isolated incidents of violence in some parts of the country. The campaigns were intense and appeared heavily financed, particularly for the two main coalitions, namely, Jubilee Alliance and the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD).
-
-
The 4 March 2013 elections were Kenya’s first General Elections under the new Constitution and a series of new laws governing the elections, and represent an integral step in the reform and devolution process. Citizens have voted for the President, National Assembly, Women Members of the Assembly, Senate, County Governors and County Assemblies; three of which are brand new elective representative institutions. These elections were also the first General Elections since the tragic events following the 2007 polls, and so a major test for the country and its institutions.
-