Swearing-in for his second term as President of Kenya following the December 27, 2007 general electi

⁣Mwai Kibaki’s swearing-in at State House in 2007 was one of the most controversial and consequential moments in Kenya’s political history.




Date: December 30, 2007

Occasion: Swearing-in for his second term as President of Kenya following the December 27, 2007 general election.

Electoral Contest: A highly contested election between Mwai Kibaki (PNU) and Raila Odinga (ODM).

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What Happened:

Fast-Tracked Swearing-In: Kibaki was swiftly sworn in at State House Nairobi, less than two hours after the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) declared him the winner.

Time of Day: The swearing-in occurred in the evening, around 5:00–6:00 PM, an unusual time, which further raised suspicions.

Presence: The ceremony was attended by close allies and security personnel; the public was largely excluded.


Controversy:

Allegations of Electoral Fraud: The opposition (ODM) and international observers raised concerns about vote tallying irregularities, especially in Kibaki strongholds.

Electoral Commission Split: Some ECK commissioners later admitted they were under pressure and could not verify the final results with certainty.

Violence: The announcement and swearing-in triggered widespread post-election violence, resulting in:

Over 1,100 deaths

More than 600,000 people displaced

Public & Global Reaction

TV Blackouts: Some media stations were allegedly restricted from broadcasting live footage.

Local and International Condemnation: The rushed ceremony and lack of transparency were condemned by civil society and international observers (EU, USA, AU).

US and UK Reaction: Initially congratulatory, but quickly shifted to calls for dialogue as violence escalated.


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Aftermath:

Power-Sharing Deal: Under international mediation (especially by Kofi Annan), Kenya formed a coalition government in early 2008, with Raila Odinga becoming Prime Minister and Kibaki remaining President.

Birth of Grand Coalition: This arrangement was codified in the National Accord, which also led to significant constitutional and institutional reforms.