Every electioneering period in Kenya comes with its own share of shocks and interesting happenings that leave many surprised and others shocked.
The 2022 elections did not disappoint either with the hits and misses that were served in equal measure.
So what are some of these shocks in the political arena? Kenyans.co.ke delves into events that got many stunned.
William Ruto Winning the 2022 Presidential Elections
President William Ruto defied the odds by winning the fiercely contested 2022 presidential election.
His victory was narrow, stunning, and highly controversial as four of the seven members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) rejected the result amid claims of rigging.
Wafula Chebukati declared Ruto the winner with 50.5% of the vote compared to 48.8% garnered by his closest opponent Raila Odinga.
Odinga, the then-Azimio candidate, was considered the favourite to win the election considering he had the backing of the incumbent, Uhuru Kenyatta.
Kenyatta had shifted allegiance to Odinga effectively making the elections seem a tall order for his then-Deputy William Ruto.
Raila Odinga Petitioning the 2022 Presidential Election Results
With a majority of Odinga's support base expecting an automatic victory, they were perplexed at seeing their leader for the third time filing a petition at the Supreme Court.
For Odinga who had already lost three consecutive presidential elections, the 2022 elections were considered his to lose considering that he had the backing of the incumbent against a first-timer in William Ruto.
This was Odinga’s fifth stab at the presidency and he remained in character blaming his loss on rigging.
Raila would later lose in his petition with the apex court labelling his case as ‘hot air and a wild goose chase.’
Igathe Washing Public Toilets and Serving Drinks in Club
Jubilee’s Nairobi gubernatorial candidate Polycarp Igathe got netizens talking about his vote-hunting strategies.
Igathe was captured taking orders and serving drinks to revellers at a popular entertainment joint along Thika road.
He became the talk of the town following his unique voter mobilization tactics which saw him wash cars, sell boiled eggs and chapatis and hang from matatus plying different routes around the city.
He alleged that his activities were in line with his campaign strategy which involved interacting with Nairobi residents at a more personal level.
Igathe who was vying under the Azimio umbrella lost to Johnson Sakaja on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
Nomination and Election of Linet ‘Toto’ of Bomet County
Bomet county Woman Representative Linet Chepkorir popularly known as ‘Toto’ got Kenyans excited.
Toto warmed herself into the hearts of Bomet residents who rewarded her with a slot in the national assembly as a member of parliament.
She is famed for campaigning on a motorbike to clinch victory in the August 9, general elections.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua proudly showcased her as the face of the youthful leadership in Kenya during their trip to Rwanda.
“I came with one of the miracles in our country, a little young girl, 24 years old and was elected as the Woman Representative of Bomet county, defeating a mature experienced woman,” he revealed.
Uhuru Kenyatta’s Assignment as Peace Envoy to DR Congo
President William Ruto appointed his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta as his peace envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa.
The appointment meant that the former Head of State would continue chairing regional peace interventions on behalf of the Kenyan government.
The announcement was made by Ruto during his inauguration at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi, soon after Uhuru handed him the instruments of power.
As he approached the end of his term, the East African Community Heads of state handed Kenyatta the mediator role in the DRC during the EAC summit in Arusha, Tanzania.
