Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta has admitted for the first time that he will peacefully hand over power should he lose to the opposition in the upcoming August 8th election. The president said that he would not want to be likened to the former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, who insisted on remaining in power even after he had been defeated by Adama Barrow in the December election.

President Kenyatta seeking re-election

President Kenyatta is seeking his second term in office for the newly launched Jubilee party. He has, however, come under intense criticism for not ending massive corruption that has engulfed his administration since he came to power in 2013.

The newly revamped National Super coalition (NASA) is riding on euphoria and has promised to win the election and address sky-rocketing unemployment and run-away corruption

Kenya’s political atmosphere is steadily rising as political kingpins from both sides of the political divide wage spirited campaigns meant to ensure the population from their strongholds register as voters for the coming election. Kenya’s main opposition party leader (Raila Odinga) recently decried what he termed as voter importation and harassment of opposition leaders by the government.

Kenyatta on opposition allegation

Responding to these allegations, President Uhuru Kenyatta allayed the accusations as fabrications from a team that has sensed defeat.

He assured the public that he will respect the will of Kenyans and peacefully hand over power should he fail to win the majority vote. For a candidate to become president in Kenya, the law stipulates he/she must garner 50 percent plus one of the votes cast.

The president has warned opposition groups from engaging in paltry tribal politics, asserting that the government would not tolerate any form of inciting civilians to violence.

This comes after the Deputy President William Ruto met wild reception while on tour in Western Kenya.

Police vehicle politics

Recently, the Kenyan government launched 525 police vehicles -- including 25 armored vans -- in what has been widely perceived as the government’s preparation to deal with any form of violence ahead of, and after the August election.

Opposition groups have, however been quick to downplay the police purchases at a time when doctors and lecturers are on strike, and hunger and drought is ravaging most parts of the country.

The Kenyan government has been grappling with corruption, an issue the opposition party politicians are riding their campaigns on as the country readies for the general election.