Kenya's Supreme Court on Monday upheld President Uhuru Kenyatta's reelection in a repeat vote that the opposition boycotted while saying electoral reforms had not been made. The decision appeared to put an end to a months-long political drama that has left dozens dead. In a unanimous decision, the court dismissed challenges by human rights activists and a politician who argued that last month's election was not conducted according to the law.
Protests began in response to the court's decision, though an opposition call for calm appeared to have some effect. Anger remained. "We will not respect [Kenyatta] even after the court verdict. That was not an election and we will continue opposing him," said one resident of the opposition stronghold of Kisumu city, Wycliffe Onyango. At least two people died in the opposition protests. Kibra police chief Enoch Maloba confirmed that one protester was shot to death by anti-riot police in that area of the capital, Nairobi.
In western Kenya, Migori county police chief Joseph Nthenge said one person was shot and killed by anti-riot police who were battling with protesters blocking a highway. Television images showed Kenyatta supporters bursting into song after the court’s decision was announced. Dozens of people have been killed in clashes since the August vote. With this weekend's death toll, nearly 100 people have died in the political unrest, the majority opposition demonstrators shot by police during protests.
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