Timeline of the Conflict in Kenya

This timeline shows the major events of the recent conflict in Kenya.

27 December 2007 – The Kenyan presidential and parliamentary elections take place together, after over a year of campaigning. In the first half of 2007, sitting president Mwai Kibaki (PNU) has a lead in the polls but in the months preceding the election he is passed by his main opponent, opposition leader Raila Odinga (ODM).

30 December – After initial results proclaiming Odinga to be leading in votes, Kibaki is suddenly declared the election winner and is quickly sworn in. Angry supporters of opposition leader Odinga, who suspect election fraud, go out in the streets and riots break out. One clear sign of fraud was that the ODM, with 99 seats, was the big winner in the parliamentary elections held at the same time (the PNU got 43 seats).

1 January – In western Kenya, where the Luo are a majority, a mob sets a church on fire in which refugees, mainly Kikuyu, had fled. About fifty are killed. Hundreds more are killed in the first days of the conflict in Kenya.

4 January – Kibaki says he will accept a re-run of the elections if a court decides so. The next day he announces he is open for a grand coalition together which the opposition party ODM.

8 January – Kibaki announces the names of 17 ministers of his cabinet, leaving about half of the (more minor) positions open. This is interpreted as a further signal that Kibaki is ready to cooperate with the ODM in the coalition.

15 January – The new Parliament, elected at the same time as the presidential elections, gathers. It’s 207 members are divided over no less than 23 parties.

24 January – The first talks between Kibaki and Odinga take place, initiated by former UN secretary Kofi Annan.

28 January –MP Melitus Were, of the opposition, is killed outside his house in Nairobi. More violence erupts.

31 January – Another opposition MP, David Kimutai Too, is killed in the Rift Valley province.

5 February – The Red Cross estimates the number of casualties during the conflict in Kenya at 1,000 at the minimum.

8 February – Kofi Annan reports progress. The government ends the ban on peaceful political rallies.

15 February - Annan reports agreement on electoral law reforms and other legislation.

28 February – Kibaki and Odinga sign a peace agreement according to which the PNU and ODM will form a grand coalition with Kibaki as president and Odinga in the newly created office of prime minister. Names still have to be agreed.

12 April – After some difficult talks and stalemates, Kibaki and Odinga announce an agreement on a list of no less than 40 cabinet ministers.

Even if a stable government is installed and the peace maintained, it remains to be seen whether the underlying causes of the Kenya violence will be dealt with in the coming period.

Related pages: