Kenya: The Danger of Election-Related Violence

As Kenya's elections draw near, deep ethnic rivalries threaten to spur a descent into violence. Tribalism is a key factor in African politics and will be an important driver in the minds of Kenyan voters. Rising income inequality among and within ethnic groups, along with a 40 percent unemployment rate, will add to the divisions among Kenya's tribes ahead of the vote, scheduled for March 2013, and increase the risk of intra-tribal violence. Moreover, Islamist groups in the coastal region could capitalize on political and security weaknesses to advance their agenda as the election nears.