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After a fiercely contested campaign, Kenya’s nearly 20 million voters will chose tomorrow between Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga. But there is much more to a Kenyan election than the ruthless game of leaders pursuing power, argue
Justin Willis, Nic Cheeseman and Gabrielle Lynch. Ordinary Kenyans have every reason to make a mark. Ethnic issues have once again been a simmering election issue. Daisy Maritim-Maina unpacks the perception that the presidency has become the preserve of the Kikuyu and the Kalenjin. And you can read the rest of our coverage here.
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Kenya elections
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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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Nic Cheeseman, University of Birmingham
The closer the race between the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, the more Kenyans will start to worry about election rigging.
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Nic Cheeseman, University of Birmingham
Although some complain that the differences between Kenyatta and Odinga are more rhetorical than real, one thing is clear: Kenyans have a real choice to make at the ballot box.
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John Walubengo, Multimedia University of Kenya
In a political environment where voters are increasingly attuned to instances of polling malpractice, African states are grudgingly adopting technology as a barrier to election fraud.
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Faith Kiboro, SMC University
In Kenya, the overwhelming majority of political contributions come from a tiny number of individuals. This model of financing turns politics into a high-stakes game that very often turns violent.
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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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Beatrice Akala, University of Johannesburg
Kenya's progressive 2010 Constitution brought improved women's representation in Parliament and public life. But historical prejudices remain, always more intensely apparent during elections.
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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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Sekou Toure Otondi, University of Nairobi
Kenya's next general election is slated for August 8 this year. As the country prepares for the polls, there are fears that political tensions will result in violence. Will history repeat itself?
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George Ogola, University of Central Lancashire
Media coverage of elections is changing as the industry adopts new practices and politicians become more invested in their personal brands. But can the press remain objective?
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Yvonne Rowa Woods, University of Adelaide
Kenyan voters are aware of their central role in the electoral process, yet they tend to limit their leadership choices. Are they ready to break away from tradition in the 2017 elections?
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Joseph Wandera, St Paul's University
Appeal to faith is a popular election campaign strategy in Kenya where the line between religion and politics is often thin.
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Daisy Maritim Maina, SMC University
Kenya must address the problem of tribalism and ethnic violence. To do this leaders must critically examine the concept of political ideology.
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Sekou Toure Otondi, University of Nairobi
As party primaries have kicked off in Kenya in the run-up to the county's general election in August, the ghost of violence past has reared its ugly head causing deep divisions along tribal lines.
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Keith Somerville, University of Kent
The violence that often accompanies political disputes or elections is testimony to the efficacy of hate propaganda as a tool in the political arsenal of Kenyan politicians.
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Sekou Toure Otondi, University of Nairobi
Integration within the East African Community has been sticky. The fact that Kenya's main political parties haven't spelled out their policies on the community in their manifestos is a worry.
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Mercy Muendo, Mount Kenya University
Inflammatory speech has often found fertile ground in Kenya's election campaign period. As the country approaches another political cliff-hanger, law enforcement agencies have their work cut out.
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