Kenya, one of Africa’s most economically and politically prominent democracies, will next hold elections in August 2017. Governance in the country has evolved in recent years, due in part to the implementation of a new constitution, ratified in 2010, which stipulated structural changes to the country’s political system. Devolution in Kenya was intended to bring the government closer to its citizens – one approach for strengthening democracy and accountability also adopted elsewhere in Africa. The forthcoming polls will mark the first nation-wide electoral test of devolution, a process which through the creation of counties has made more urgent the need for inter-party cooperation to ensure the delivery of services and representative governance for citizens.

At this event, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga will discuss Kenya’s experience of democracy, and how countries across the continent are evolving political systems to manage diversity, accountability and public debate towards peace and development.

Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga EGH, Party Leader, ODM, Coalition Leader, CORD, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya (2008-13)

Chair: Dr Alex Vines OBE, Research Director, Area Studies and International Law; Head, Africa Programme, Chatham House