Mount Kenya Leaders Seek to Abolish 50%+1 Presidential Election Rule

Political leaders from the Mt. Kenya region are spearheading discussions on potential constitutional reforms to reshape the country's electoral framework ahead of Kenya's 2027 General Election.

The key proposal, which emerged during a recent meeting in Thika town on Sunday, calls for abolishing the current 50-percent-plus-one requirement for winning the presidential election. Instead, the region's allies are advocating for a simple majority system, where the candidate with the most votes would be declared the winner. However, to form a government, the president-elect must secure a coalition with enough competitors to achieve a threshold of 60 per cent of the total votes cast. This, the leaders argue, would ensure inclusivity and mitigate the divisive winner-takes-all approach that has been blamed for post-election violence and political instability in Kenya.

The push for constitutional change also includes reintroducing the Prime Minister's position which is seen as a means to expand the executive and create formal roles for the opposition. This, according to the leaders, would make the political system more attractive to candidates who secure a significant portion of the votes but do not win the presidency, thereby promoting a more inclusive government. The Mt. Kenya region's political leaders are driven by fears of marginalization in the emerging political alliances between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The current political partnership between the two has raised concerns about the potential return to a one-party rule, which many in the region believe could sideline their interests. The region, traditionally a political kingmaker in Kenya, is grappling with the need to maintain its influence in the evolving political landscape. Gachagua's political position appears to be in a state of flux, marked by conflicting narratives and undercurrents. On one hand, he has voiced concerns about alleged crackdowns by state agencies, including intelligence and investigative bodies hinting at an impeachment plot against him. However, Gachagua has also been prominently accompanying President William Ruto on various tours, projecting a united front.

Notably, he has welcomed the appointment of Raila Odinga's close allies as Cabinet Secretaries, despite some of his own supporters expressing discontent with the move. Political analysts suggest Gachagua may be employing a "survival strategy" or has "caved in to pressure," as his allies accuse him of being "managed" by the President. The tensions within the Kenya Kwanza alliance are further highlighted by Gachagua's cronies, who have hinted at the possibility of forming a new party ahead of the next general election. The political intrigue surrounding the Deputy President's position has sparked intense debates and speculation, with the formation of a Gikuyu-Embu-Meru-Akamba (GEMA) political axis also being a subject of discussion.