Kenya’s peaceful polls a vote of confidence in Africa’s democracy

KENYA’S Supreme Court upheld Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidential election victory on Saturday and his main rival accepted the ruling. The decision cleared the way for Uhuru to take the top job in east Africa’s biggest economy. And shortly after the ruling, Raila Odinga delivered a televised statement accepting the court’s unanimous decision and congratulated Uhuru. Like a mature statesman, Odinga also wished Team Uhuru the best in their new job of leading Kenya. There had been several insinuations that the court ruling was likely to spark off violence across the country, but at the end of the day democracy and respect of the decision of the Supreme Court prevailed. The developments in Kenya are yet another silver lining on Africa’s growing democracy.It is an indicator that Africa of the past associated with civil wars, poverty and disease, which also depended on foreign intervention to manage, if not worsen, internal problems, has moved on and the internal systems of the continent can solve its challenges.The case of Kenya is an example that Africa can build strong independent institutions that can be trusted to work in the interest of the citizens.Other African states should pick a cue from Kenya and believe that African problems cannot be solved by foreigners. Home grown solutions and strong institutions will shape the future of Africa. After the verdict, the Kenyan people spoke with one voice to ensure that the unity, peace, sovereignty and prosperity of the nation are preserved.In parts of Africa where we still have problems, the solution to the conflicts in these countries lies with the natives of these countries and not with the western world. It’s only Africans who can solve their problems and not foreigners. And that is a sign of democracy and real independence.

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Kenya’s peaceful polls a vote of confidence in Africa’s democracy