Kenya elections: What you need to know - KYTX CBS 19 Tyler Longview News Weather Sports
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By Faith Karimi
Kenyans vote Monday in the first general election since a disputed poll erupted into violence five years ago. The clashes left about 1,200 people dead and ended after the formation of an uneasy coalition government between the president and the prime minister.
Incumbent President Mwai Kibaki is not running for re-election, but his partner in the coalition, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, is one of the frontrunners.
Why is this election important?
A peaceful vote is crucial to restoring Kenya's reputation as a bastion of stability in the region after the disastrous vote in 2007.
As the largest economy in East Africa, Kenya is a crucial trade route into the rest of the continent and provides an important buffer of stability against the fledgling Somali government and the politically tense Sudans.
Kenya is also a major U.S. ally in the war against Islamist militants in Somalia, and the international community is hoping the country does not see a repeat of the violence.
What caused the violence in the last election?
Kibaki is a member of the Kikuyu, the largest of the more than 40 tribes in Kenya. Odinga is a Luo, another prominent tribe.
When Kibaki was declared the winner, Odinga disputed the result, alleging it was rigged. Opposing protesters loyal to each leader took to the streets, escalating into widespread violence fueled by decades of economic frustration and ethnic rivalry.
Supporters battled it out using machetes and other crude weapons in the worst violence since the nation gained its independence in 1963. Hundreds of thousands were displaced, with some still living in camps years later.
How did the violence end?
The international community stepped in, dispatching diplomats to Nairobi to help find a resolution. A series of leaders went to Kenya at the time, including then-Ghanaian president, John Kufuor, and the United Nations secretary -general, Ban Ki-moon.
After more than a month of negotiations, former United Nations chief Kofi Annan mediated a power-sharing agreement signed by both leaders.
"Compromise was necessary for the survival of this country," Annan said at the time.
What has happened since the last election?
Kenyans have spent the past five years trying to determine how the last violence escalated to the brink of a civil war.
The country is working to heal the tensions that lingered long after the coalition government was formed. It also has a new constitution, an improved judicial system and a more inclusive electoral commission.
Leading up to this election, Kenyans have pledged for peace, and candidates held a massive rally in the capital of Nairobi last month and vowed to address any election disputes in court.
Though an uneasy calm has returned, Kenyans remain wary. Citizens have taken to social media and television to appeal for peace, and presidential candidates have implored their supporters to avoid bloodshed despite the vote's outcome.
But some Kenyans are not taking chances. Some are moving to areas dominated by their own tribes so that they will have strength in masses during the election season.
What other elections are being held?
In addition to the presidential poll, voters will also pick senators, governors, members of parliament and county representatives.
The nation has 22,600 election observers.
Of those, 2,600 are international. The U.S. Carter Center is one of the organizations sending observers.
What happens after the election?
The winner must get more than 50% of the total votes to avoid a runoff in April.
