Economist Podcasts

Class action: Kenya gets a new president

Aug 16, 2022
Adrian Blomfield, East Africa correspondent for The Economist, shares insights into Kenya’s political landscape following the recent presidential election. He discusses the historic shift away from ethnic alignment towards class-based voting and the implications for democracy. Blomfield raises questions about the newly elected William Ruto's ability to navigate legal challenges and economic hurdles. The conversation also touches on broader issues, such as rising drug addiction in Mexico and alarming trends of firearms at American airports, highlighting cultural contrasts.
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ANECDOTE

Past Election Violence

  • Kenya experienced violence after the 2007 and 2017 elections due to claims of vote rigging.
  • Dozens died in 2017.
INSIGHT

A Transparent Election

  • This year's election was more transparent and technologically advanced.
  • Ruto's win might bring calm, but Odinga is expected to challenge the results.
INSIGHT

Ruto's Positioning

  • Ruto positioned himself as the voice of the disenfranchised, despite being wealthy.
  • This election saw class become a more important factor than ethnicity.
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