Lessons from Kenya

The decision is the first time presidential elections in Africa have ever been nullified and even globally, the ruling is among a few similar decisions globally.  There are very sound reasons why such decisions are not common globally and particularly in Africa, a continent generally struggling with the institutionalisation of democracy and sound governance. Across Africa, ruling political parties often entrench themselves in power by subsuming or suppressing the other estates of government, broadly being the legislature, the judiciary and the press.

Of these estates, the legislature can be captured simply through majority and subsequent constitutional amendments, while the press can be equally muzzled through laws, intimidation, inundation with litigation, drowning out with state media among many means.  It is the judiciary that is the last line of defence for democracy and as a result, the first target of autocratic ruling elites.