Kenya's elections demonstrate progress since the 2007 violence, but more reform is required

Following the submission of eight petitions seeking to annul the result, Kenya's Supreme Court unanimously confirmed William Ruto's election as president. All

petitions were dismissed by the court, including one filed by the losing candidate, Raila Odinga. Some of the claims were found to be "based on

Kenyan President-elect William Ruto at a press conference after the Supreme Court decision. forged documents and'sensational information.'"

Odinga responded by stating that he "respects the court's decision." However, he "vehemently disagreed with the decision" and said he would "communicate in the near future on our plans to continue our struggle for transparency, accountability, and democracy."

The court decision came after weeks of uncertainty, beginning with a six-day wait for the presidential election result after a close race. On August 15, four Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission commissioners criticized the upcoming results as "opaque." However, the chairman of the electoral commission, Wafula Chebukati, went ahead and declared William Ruto of Kenya Kwanza as the country's president elect with 50.5% of the popular vote.

Raila Odinga of Azimio la Umoja received 48.8% of the vote. Governors, senators, and parliamentarians were initially split fairly evenly between the two alliances.

Azimio challenged Ruto's election in the Supreme Court after rejecting the results. It argued, among other things, that hackers associated with Ruto had changed some of the polling station-level forms (specifically 34A forms) on the elections commission portal; that Ruto had failed to secure 50% plus one vote and thus did not secure a first round victory; and that the gubernatorial races in Kakamega and Mombasa had been postponed with the ulterior motive of reducing turnout in Odinga strongholds.

Many Kenyans were concerned about the possibility of violence. However, the campaigns and subsequent post-election period were relatively calm and peaceful. This was despite hotly contested, close, contentious, and at times tense polls.

Based on research conducted around Kenyan elections since 2007, I would argue that the country is no longer on the "precipice" that it was in 2008. Nonetheless, the threat of - and potential for - violence remains, and the road ahead remains difficult. Key institutions require additional reforms, the country remains divided, and the new president faces significant economic challenges.

New reforms, old concerns

But what explains the gap between violence fears and reality?