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Editor's note
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On Tuesday Kenya goes to the polls, ending months of fierce campaigning in what’s turned into a closely run contest between incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta and former prime minister Raila Odinga. But general elections in the country are not more than just a game of thrones. They are driven by the demands and concerns of ordinary people, trying to navigate their way to the promised land of development, write Justin Willis, Gabrielle Lynch and Nic Cheeseman.
There’s no gainsaying that the two main contenders have their eyes on the presidential throne. Daisy Maina-Maritim breaks down the country’s political formations, their strengths and their weaknesses. The outcome of the poll matters a great deal to Kenya’s most fragile neighbour Somalia. The biggest issue is whether the next president will begin withdrawing troops from the country. Stephanie Carver explains why a rushed withdrawal could destabilise the region.
Many South Africans are hoping that a motion of no confidence brought by the opposition and scheduled for Tuesday will get rid of President Jacob Zuma. Steven Friedman strikes a note of caution. Firstly, the motion is unlikely to pass given that the governing ANC has a comfortable majority in parliament. And secondly he warns, even it was to succeed, removing Zuma won’t lead to a change in the country’s politics.
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Top Stories
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Justin Willis, Durham University; Gabrielle Lynch, University of Warwick; Nic Cheeseman, University of Birmingham
Kenya's history of electoral problems is interwoven with a political drama which pits one dynasty against another in a rivalry that goes back more than 50 years.
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Daisy Maritim Maina, SMC University
The two main candidates in Kenya's election are incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta and the opposition's Raila Odinga. Polls have them neck-and-neck. Here's what you need to know about the key issues.
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Stephanie Carver, Monash University
It's unclear exactly when Kenya's next president will begin the process of withdrawing troops from Somalia. If it's too rushed, the move might destabilise the region.
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Politics + Society
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Steven Friedman, University of Johannesburg
What South Africa's opposition parties want Parliament and the courts to do would damage the country's democracy.
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Pundy Pillay, University of the Witwatersrand; David Everatt, University of the Witwatersrand
South Africa's governing ANC has always seen economic growth as the driving force for change. This was wishful thinking as the damage done by apartheid will take far more to undo.
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Sarah Logan, International Growth Centre
With frequent irregularities, it's easy to become cynical about elections in Africa. But polls are an essential component of the continent's growing democracy.
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Business + Economy
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Matthew Kofi Ocran, University of the Western Cape
The International Monetary Fund's view of how to fix South Africa's economy deserves to be seriously considered.
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Tahiru Azaaviele Liedong, University of Bath
West African leaders have nursed the idea of a common currency for the sub-region since the turn of the century. But conditions for member countries to make this happen appear unattainable.
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Mills Soko, University of Cape Town
The Gupta email leaks have exposed the involvement of some big private corporations. in the unfolding corruption scandal thus challenging the private sector to do some introspection.
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Health + Medicine
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Susan Williams, University of the Witwatersrand; Michèle Ramsay, University of the Witwatersrand
There is value in including different populations in genetic research studies as has been shown in a study on exfoliation syndrome, which leads to glaucoma.
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Elizabeth Kimani-Murage, Brown University
Human milk banks play an important role in ensuring the safe supply of breast milk. This is made available to babies whose mothers are unable to breastfeed.
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Environment + Energy
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Laura Pereira, Stellenbosch University
Global food system issues can be traced to colonial history. It's time food production became more sustainable so that it meets the needs of people - equally.
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Lourens Swanepoel, University of Venda; Steven Belmain, University of Greenwich
Agricultural pests are one of the key factors affecting small holder farmer production. Focus is normally put on invertebrate pests, but rodents can do severe damage to crops as well.
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Arts + Culture
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Manosa Nthunya, University of the Witwatersrand
What might be the purpose of historical fiction? Perhaps to the humble and subtle to recognise and pay tribute to lives that came before us.
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Michelle van Wyk, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Namibian crafters may be on the verge of commercial success with the carving of the Makalani nut. But they are not sure if they want to commercialise operations.
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Science + Technology
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Josephine B. Smit, University of Stirling
Elephants feeding on crops poses a challenge to their coexistence with humans. Farmers must introduce strategies to reduce losses and avoid lethal action against the endangered species.
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