On August 13th 2017, American leading publication – New York Times wrote a story dubbed ‘The Real Suspense in Kenya’ which criticized Nasa leader for challenging the results of August 8th presidential election.
“Kenya’s national elections last Tuesday were closely watched around the world, less for the results than for the threat of violence that has marred past elections. Barack Obama, whose father was a Kenyan, had been among those urging the country’s leaders to “reject violence and incitement.
“That has not happened. Raila Odinga, a perennial loser, began crying foul long before the election commission declared that President Uhuru Kenyatta was re-elected with 54 percent of the vote to Mr. Odinga’s 45. Mr. Odinga’s unsubstantiated claims have already touched off rioting in parts of the country, and the violence could spread,” New York Times article read in part.
On September 3rd, two days after the Supreme Court nullified August 8th presidential election, New York Times wrote another article ‘Kenya’s Giant Step for Fair Elections’. This time they praised Raila for filing the petition challenging Uhuru’s doctored win. New York Time ironically criticized international observes for being quick to rubber stamp fraud.
“The ruling was also a rebuke to international monitors and diplomats — and to this page — who were too quick to dismiss charges of irregularities, largely out of relief that the Aug. 8 voting had been mainly peaceful and in the hope that disappointment with the results would not lead to the sort of violence that erupted after the disputed 2007 election, in which hundreds of people were killed.
“They, and the monitors and observers following the election, must also show that they fully respect and support institutions of democratic governance and the rule of law. We had said after Mr. Kenyatta’s re-election had been initially confirmed that challenging it was a matter of sour grapes that could lead to ethnic strife. But preserving peace is best served by ensuring that democratic rules and institutions are respected, and Mr. Odinga’s charge deserved, and got, full consideration.
“The Kenyan Supreme Court has done a major service to democracy and the rule of law, and has provided a needed lesson to international observers,” wrote New York Times.
