Member-only story
Two Sides of the Mirror
If you are like me, you are concerned about the implications of disputed election results in America. You want your candidate to win, but you are as concerned about the process as the outcome. What does all this mean for the state of the democracy?
Let me tell you a true story about an election in which a bitter campaign season divided a country.
Allegations of voter fraud were widespread, despite close supervision of process. The loser refused to acknowledge defeat, asked for a re-vote and declared himself “the people’s president,” holding huge rallies to show his support. The president-elect seemed powerless to respond, as to do so would only exacerbate the chaos.
This is not America, 2020, this is Kenya, early 2018.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga were quite literally born into politics.
Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was the first president of the country following independence. Kenyatta was a Kikuyu, the majority tribe, and created a tribal coalition (the GEMA) in central Kenya that has persisted to the present day.
Jaramogi Odinga represented the Luo and Luya tribes in Western Kenya. Odinga served as Vice President, opposition party leader, and spent time under house…
