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Kenya

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2013 Presidential Elections Largely Peaceful

As the 2013 presidential election approached, many feared a repeat of the deadly violence that plagued the disputed 2007 race and left about 1,300 dead. Those fears did not play out in the tight race between top contenders Prime Minister Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta, the richest man in the country and the son of Kenya's first president. Kenyatta won 50.07% of the vote to Odinga's 43.7%, narrowly enough to avoid a runoff. Kenyatta is one of four men who were charged by the International Criminal Court in 2012 with crimes against humanity for their roles in the violence that erupted after the 2007 elections. Odinga lost the controversial 2007 presidential election to Kibaki.

Kenyatta assumed office on April 9, 2013. William Ruto was sworn in as deputy president. Ruto has also been charged by the International Criminal Court with crimes against humanity for his role in the violence after the 2007 elections. The position of prime minister was eliminated due to the referendum vote on a constitutional change back in 2010.

See also Encyclopedia: Kenya .
U.S. State Dept. Country Notes: Kenya