How Independent candidates will change Kenya’s politics after this year’s elections

The August 8 General Election, unlike the political parties’ primaries, will be won in two levels. Level one, is the presidential election which carries the highest political premium. Level two, is the numbers attained in the bicameral legislative houses.

Although a presidential win is critical, to have numbers in the legislative houses is equally crucial, since it eases transaction of government business. Therefore, a “well won” election is both a presidential win and a majority in legislature numbers. Unlike the other elective seats that are won through a simple majority, the presidential seat requires “50 plus one” of the total votes cast.