Presidential Election In Kenya: Television Stations Throw In The Towel

While counting began Tuesday evening and continued Friday at the level of constituencies, counties and at the national level in Nairobi. Kenyan televisions were already broadcasting partial results of the presidential election live, based on their own counts the day after the election. On Friday, they did an about-face.

The televisions decided to end the publication while the Kenyan national electoral commission called on voters to be patient. She must announce by August 16, the final results of the ballot. It may take time to check the various minutes down to the smallest detail.

The only data available, the participation rate: according to the Electoral Commission, it stood at just over 65%, down from the 78% recorded during the August 2017 elections. Even if media trends seemed to confirm the scenario of a tight duel between two of the four presidential candidates: Raila Odinga who received the support of the outgoing president, and William Ruto, vice-president in office.

The Supreme Court had cancelled the presidential election in 2017 for “irregularities”.

The Electoral Commission is therefore playing the card of caution in a country where all the polls have been disputed since 2002, sometimes giving rise to deadly violence