Kenya President Keeps Treasury Chief as He Builds Government

Kenya President Keeps Treasury Chief as He Builds Government

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta retained his Treasury and energy chiefs as he begins building a government with the task of reuniting East Africa’s biggest economy after months of electoral uncertainty. Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich and Energy Secretary Charles Keter will remain in their posts, as will the head of the Tourism Ministry, Najib Balala, and Information and Communications Secretary Joseph Mucheru. Kenyatta also named Fred Matiang’i as interior minister in a televised address on Friday,…

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Kenya President Vows Unity as He Begins Disputed Second Term

Kenya President Vows Unity as He Begins Disputed Second Term

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta vowed to unite his country as he was sworn in for a second term amid opposition protests, capping months of electoral uncertainty that unnerved investors in East Africa’s biggest economy. Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who has vowed not to recognize Kenyatta’s victory in an October election rerun, boycotted Tuesday’s ceremony in the capital, Nairobi and said he’ll be sworn-in as Kenya’s leader by supporters next month. Police fired…

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Secession Talk Enters Kenyan Mainstream as Poll Feud Simmers

Secession Talk Enters Kenyan Mainstream as Poll Feud Simmers

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Kenya’s protracted election dispute has spawned secession calls from opposition supporters who say their vote has no influence on how East Africa’s biggest economy is governed. The increased agitation follows the declaration of President Uhuru Kenyatta as the winner of October’s election rerun that the main opposition alliance boycotted, alleging it wouldn’t be a fair vote. His victory in the poll, in which turnout was just 38.8 percent and clustered in…

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Kenya’s Western Allies Urge Talks to Break Elections Impasse

Kenya’s Western Allies Urge Talks to Break Elections Impasse

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Kenya’s key western trading partners and political allies urged talks to resolve a deadlock over the country’s presidential elections, as the nation’s top court began considering petitions challenging the outcome of last month’s vote rerun. The Oct. 26 rerun of an annulled vote two months earlier has polarized the East African nation and exposed “deep tribal and ethnic rifts” that have characterized Kenyan politics in the past, the Atlanta-based…

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Kenya to Deploy Police for Opposition Protests as Business Slows

Kenya to Deploy Police for Opposition Protests as Business Slows

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Kenya will deploy security forces to monitor protests planned by the main opposition alliance, the government’s spokesman said, as he criticized the demonstrations for slowing down business. The opposition National Super Alliance plans to hold demonstrations in the capital, Nairobi, and other cities on Friday. The coalition began a campaign of twice-weekly protests on Monday to press its demands for an overhaul of the electoral commission before a rerun…

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Opposition Starts Protests in Kenya as Election Standoff Deepens

Opposition Starts Protests in Kenya as Election Standoff Deepens

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Kenya’s main opposition group began protests in the capital to press its demand for changes to the electoral commission before next month’s presidential election rerun, as it accused the body of working with the ruling Jubilee Party to prepare another fraudulent vote. Police fired teargas to disperse hundreds of National Super Alliance supporters who gathered outside the Independent Electoral & Boundaries Commission’s offices in the Nairobi city center on…

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Kenya Opposition Plans Mass Protests to Force Out Vote Officials

Kenya Opposition Plans Mass Protests to Force Out Vote Officials

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Kenya’s main opposition alliance will begin mass protests this week to force out electoral officials it suspects of rigging last month’s annulled presidential vote. The National Super Alliance will begin its campaign on Tuesday and will continue until the Independent Electoral & Boundaries Commission officeholders resign, said Norman Magaya, chief executive officer of the opposition coalition. It may escalate the protests if lawmakers from the ruling Jubilee Party continue…

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