1、Order Code RS22524Updated November 28, 2007Kenya: Current Conditions and the Challenges AheadTed DagneSpecialist in African AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionMonty Rushmoore McGeeResearch FellowForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryKenya, a nation of about 36.9 million
2、people, has been an important ally of theUnited States for decades. Kenya moved from a one-party state to a multi-partydemocracy in 1992. Kenyans voted in record numbers in the countrys first multi-partyelection in almost 26 years. President Daniel arap Moi defeated opposition candidatesby a small m
3、argin. In 1997, Kenya held its second multi-party elections, at the heightof tensions between the opposition and the ruling party. President Moi was re-electedwith 40% of the votes cast, while his nearest rival, Mwai Kibaki, won 31%. In the 2002presidential and parliamentary elections, the oppositio
4、n National Rainbow Coalition(NARC) defeated the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU). In the presidentialelection, NARC leader Kibaki defeated Uhuru Kenyatta, the leader of KANU. A numberof major political figures have emerged to challenge President Kibaki in the electionscheduled for December