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Kenya
Country profile
Since independence in 1963, only one political party has ruled Kenya. In the third multi-party elections held in 2002, a new political party – an umbrella organisation of 14 opposition parties, won the elections with a landslide victory and effectively took over power at the beginning of 2003.
These elections were historic in that, it was the first time in Kenya's history that there was to be a change in the presidency through an electoral process. Though previous multiparty elections were marred with incidences of violence and electoral malpractices, the 2002 elections were remarkably peaceful and the electoral process was largely free and fair. This achievement has, to a large extent, been attributed to the persistent efforts by civil society – especially the churches - to promote good governance and enlighten communities on the precepts of democracy.
The strategic role of Kenya in the region makes its stability and relative economic development significant to the neighbouring countries in the region. The Sudan and Somalia are producing a vast number of refugees all heading for Kenya, and as such it is essential to maintain political stability and transparency. Many of the other countries in eastern Africa do generate economic migrants that come to Kenya in search of the relative prosperity that especially Nairobi can offer as a metropolis.
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