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| − | [[Image:Mwai_Kibaki,_October 2003.jpg|thumb|Mwai Kibaki.]]
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| − | '''Mwai Kibaki''' (November 15, 1931 - ) is the President of [[Kenya]]. Kibaki was previously Vice President (1978-1988) under [[Daniel arap Moi]], and has held several other cabinet positions, including Minister for Finance (1978-1981), Minister for Home Affairs (1982-1988), and Minister for Health (1988-1991). After graduating from Makerere University College, [[Uganda]] he taught [[economics]] there from 1958 until 1960. That year, he was involved in founding the KANU party. He became a member of parliament in 1963. He broke with Moi in 1991, when he founded the Democratic Party and contested the presidential election. Moi won. On his second attempt in 1997, he came second but the following year he became official leader of the opposition. When Moi retired, he stood against Moi's chosen successor and won, becoming Kenya's third President.
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| − | He was [[baptism|baptized]] '''Emilio Stanley''' by [[Italy|Italian]] missionaries in his youth but he rarely uses this name. He was sworn in on December 30, 2007, for his second term as president of the Republic of Kenya after controversially emerging winner of an election that was marked by accusations of fraud and widespread irregularities that have led to civil unrest. However, his presidency has seen an annual percentage point rise in the Gross Domestic Product. Although he initially rooted out corruption, this remains endemic. His style of leadership, like that of his two predecessors, is authoritarian. He has increased the power of the president at the expense of [[parliament]]. For genuine [[democracy]] to develop in Kenya, the legislative branch needs to be strengthened, decision-making needs to be shared more widely and more people need to be able to participate in the political process. Kibaki's regime has been described as semi-patrimonial; cabinet posts are given as a form of largess to those who support the president, regardless of their interest in serving the nation or their competency to handle a ministerial portfolio.
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| − | ==Early life==
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| − | Born in [[Gatuyaini]] village in [[Othaya]] division of [[Nyeri District]], Kibaki was the youngest son of [[Kikuyu people|Kikuyu]] peasants Kibaki Gĩthĩnji and Teresia Wanjikũ (both now deceased). He was educated at Gatuyainĩ School (two years), Karĩma Mission School (three years), Mathari Boarding Primary School (between 1944 and 1946). Family oral history maintains that his early education was made possible by his much older brother-in-law, [[Paul Muruthi]], who believed that Kibaki should not be baby-sitting his little nephews and nieces for his older sister. He studied at the prestigious [[Mang'u High School]] between 1947 and 1950 and obtained the maximum possible score in his high school terminal examinations. Kibaki was eager to join the army after high school, but due to a ruling by [[Walter Coutts]], the Chief colonial secretary, people from [[G.e.m.a|GEMA]] communities were prevented from the British army.
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| − | He studied Economics, History and Political Science at [[Makerere University College]], [[Kampala]], [[Uganda]]. During his studies, he was chairman of the [[Kenya]] Students' Association. In 1955, he graduated as best student of his class, and was therefore awarded a scholarship to undertake further studies in the [[United Kingdom]], obtaining a B.Sc.<ref>State House, Kenya, [http://www.statehousekenya.go.ke/presidents/kibaki/profile.htm State House profile.] Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref> with distinction in Public Finance at the [[London School of Economics]].
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| − | ==Kenya African National Union==
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| − | After obtaining his [[Master's degree]], he became an economics lecturer at Makerere. In early 1960 however, he gave up his job to become executive officer of [[Kenya African National Union]] (KANU). He helped to draft [[Lancaster House Conferences (Kenya)|Kenya's constitution]]. In the 1963 elections, he took the then [[Makadara Constituency|Donholm Constituency]] (subsequently called Bahati and now known as Makadara) in [[Nairobi]]. He has been a member of parliament (MP) ever since.
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| − | [[Image:Kenyan Leaders.jpg|left|thumb|Mwai Kibaki (standing, back right) with [[Jomo Kenyatta]] and [[Zafrud Deen]] sitting in front]]
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| − | His election was the start of a long political career. Appointed Assistant Minister of Finance and chairman of the Economic Planning Commission in 1963, he was promoted to Minister of Commerce and Industry in 1966. In 1969, he became Minister of Finance and Economic Planning where he served until 1978. Moving his political base from Nairobi to his rural home, he was re-elected to parliament in 1974 to represent his native [[Othaya Constituency]]. The same year, ''[[Time magazine]]'' rated him among the top 100 people in the world who had the potential to lead. He was re-elected Member of Parliament for the same constituency in the subsequent elections of 1979, 1983, 1988, 1992, 1997, and 2002.
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| − | When [[Daniel arap Moi]] succeeded [[Jomo Kenyatta]] as President of Kenya in 1978, Kibaki was elevated to the [[Vice-President of Kenya|Vice Presidency]], but was allowed to keep the Finance portfolio, which he exchanged for that of Home Affairs in 1982. Kibaki fell out of favor with President Moi in 1988, was dropped as Vice President and moved to the Ministry of Health.
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| − | ==Multi-party politics==
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| − | In December 1991, only days after the repeal of Section 2A of the constitution, which restored the [[multi-party system]], Mwai Kibaki left KANU and founded the Democratic Party (DP). He came third in the presidential elections of 1992, and was second in the 1997 elections.
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| − | In January 1998, Mwai Kibaki became the leader of the official opposition with the Democratic Party being the official opposition party.
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| − | ==Presidency==
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| − | In preparation for the 2002 elections, Kibaki's Democratic Party affiliated with several other parties to form [[National Alliance Party of Kenya]] (NAK). NAK allied itself with the [[Liberal Democratic Party (Kenya)|Liberal Democratic Party]] (LDP) to form the [[National Rainbow Coalition]] (NARC). On December 27, 2002, NARC won a landslide victory over KANU. Kibaki got 62 percent of the votes in the presidential elections, against only 31 percent for the KANU candidate, [[Uhuru Kenyatta]].
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| − | On December 30, 2002, still nursing injuries from a motor vehicle accident and in a wheel chair, Mwai Kibaki was sworn-in as the third President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of [[Kenya]].
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| − | Kibaki's first cabinet was a careful balancing act with one Minister or Assistant Minister coming from each of Kenya's forty-two areas. His Presidential style is very "hands-off," unlike his predecessor, who attempted to control everything from the center. Kibaki's style has the benefit of allowing his Ministers the [[freedom]] to manage their departments and introduce much needed reforms; however there is talk in opposition quarters that he has been unwilling to give any public lead in the fight against corruption. To date despite the efforts of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) through numerous investigations and prosecution of cases, no high-profile figures have been convicted in court on corruption charges. However, according to the BBC he failed to honor a power sharing agreement in place with coalition members before the election.<ref name=Njeri>Juliet Njeri, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7079210.stm Kibaki, dream or nightmare?] Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref>
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| − | In November 2004, in an ABC PrimeTime interview with Peter Jennings, former U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]] identified Kibaki as the one living person he would most like to meet "because of the Kenyan government's decision to abolish school fees for primary education."<ref>James Tooley, [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0MJG/is_4_5/ai_n15675349/pg_5 Private schools for the poor: Education where no one expects it,] ''Education Next.'' Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref> Clinton added that, by providing free and compulsory primary education, what Kibaki had done would affect more lives than any president had done or would ever do by the end of the year. The free education program saw nearly 1.7 million more pupils enroll in school by the end of that year. Clinton's wish was granted when he visited Kenya in the summer of 2005 and finally met president Kibaki on July 22.
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| − | ===Constitutional referendum and dismissal of cabinet ===
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| − | The 2005 Kenyan constitutional referendum was held on November 21, 2005.
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| − | The main issues of contention throughout the drafting of the constitution were over how much power should be vested in the Head of State (the President, in this case). In previous drafts, those who feared a concentration of power in the president added provisions for [[Europe|European]]-style power-sharing between a ceremonial President elected via universal suffrage and a Prime Minister in Cabinet appointed by the President. However, the final draft of the constitution retained sweeping powers for the Head of State, which were however well checked by other branches of Government, including Parliament.
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| − | Though supported by Kibaki, some members of his own cabinet and the main opposition party mobilized a powerful campaign that resulted in a majority of 58 percent Kenyan voters rejecting the draft.
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| − | As a consequence of this, Kibaki made a historic and decisive political move on November 23, 2005, by dismissing his entire cabinet in the middle of his administration's term.<ref>BBC, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4463262.stm Kenya's entire cabinet dismissed.] Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref> About his decision Kibaki said, “Following the results of the Referendum, it has become necessary for me, as the President of the Republic, to re-organize my Government to make it more cohesive and better able to serve the people of Kenya."<ref>IRINCEA-306, [http://iys.cidi.org/humanitarian/irin/ceafrica/05b/ixl18.html Weekly Round Up.] Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref>
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| − | Although the dismissal of individual officials is commonplace in government, the dissolution of the cabinet in its entirety is rare. The only members of the cabinet office to be spared a midterm exit were the [[Vice President of Kenya|Vice President]] and [[Minister of Home Affairs]], [[Moody Awori]], and the [[Attorney General]] whose position is constitutionally protected. The Cabinet was thereafter appointed, but some MPs who were offered ministerial positions declined to take up posts.
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| − | ===New cabinet===
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| − | On July 24, 2006, [[Narc-Kenya]], a new political Party set up by Kibaki allies won three out of five parliamentary seats. This indicated Kibaki's government had recovered from the defeat at the constitutional referendum.
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| − | [[Kenya Vision 2030|Vision 2030]], a scheme to raise annual GDP by 10 percent was unveiled by Kibaki on October 30, 2006. The prudent management of the economy under Kibaki has seen continued Kenya GDP growth during 4 straight years from a low 0.6 percent (real -1.6 percent) in 2002 to 3 percent in 2003, 4.9 percent in 2004, 5.8 percent in 2005, and 6 percent in 2006. GDP growth of 7 percent in is projected for 2007, a very significant recovery from total decay preceding Kibaki's presidency. As a direct result of the consistent reforms undertaken by Kibaki's government, infrastructure rebuilding has been going on in earnest, and all the sectors of the economy have recovered from total collapse pre-2003.
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| − | On November 15, 2006, he reinstated [[Kiraitu Murungi]], who had stepped down to allow for independent investigations of corruption allegations in the [[Anglo-Leasing scandal]], as Energy minister, and [[George Saitoti]], who had been previously accused in connection with the [[Goldenberg scandal]], as Education minister.<ref>IOL, [http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=qw1163590381401B255 Kibaki reinstates ministers after scandal.] Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref> Both the ministers were exonerated in the investigations.
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| − | ===2007 elections===
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| − | On January 26, 2007, President Kibaki declared his intention of running for re-election in the [[Kenyan presidential election, 2007|2007 presidential election]]. So far, four major parties have stated that he will be their presidential candidate of choice in the coming general election. The parties are [[Democratic Party (Kenya)|DP]], [[National Rainbow Coalition|NARC]], [[Narc-Kenya]], and Ford People. In opinion polls from Steadman International released in October 2006, it was stated that 41 percent of Kenyans would vote for Kibaki. His closest rival, [[Kalonzo Musyoka]], got 20 percent. Kibaki was initially considered the front-runner in the presidential election, although he was subsequently overtaken in the polls by [[Raila Odinga]].
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| − | On September 16, 2007, Kibaki announced that he would stand as the candidate of a new alliance called the [[Party of National Unity]], which will include a number of parties, including [[Kenya African National Union|KANU]],<ref>Associated Press, [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/16/africa/AF-POL-Kenya-Elections.php Kenyan president announces new party affiliation for re-election bid.] Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref><ref name=Eyes>BBC News, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6997659.stm Kenya president eyes re-election.] Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref> DP, Narc-Kenya, Ford-Kenya, Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-People, and Shirikisho.<ref name=Eyes/>
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| − | Kibaki began his presidential campaign on September 30, at [[Nyayo Stadium]] in Nairobi.<ref>AFP, [http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2193347,00.html Kibaki: I deserve another term,] News24.com. Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref>
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| − | Following the election, held on December 27, the electoral commission declared Kibaki the winner on December 30, 2007, placing him ahead of Odinga by about 232,000 votes in a hotly contested election. This was announced despite accusations by the [[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]] that the election was rigged. Odinga accused Kibaki of fraud and [[Clashes in Kenya (2007–present)|violence broke out]] in some places.<ref>ABC News, [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/31/2129125.htm?section=world Kibaki re-elected Kenyan president: official results.] Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref><ref name=Victor>BBC News, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7164890.stm Kibaki named victor in Kenya vote.] Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref> Kibaki was immediately sworn in for his second term, calling for the "verdict of the people" to be respected and for "healing and reconciliation" to begin.<ref name=Victor/> Independent election observers have since declared that the elections were marred with irregularities on both sides, but especially at the final vote tallying stage.<ref>Mike Pflanz and Kevin Shoesmith, [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/1574247/Kenya-poll-chief-pressured-to-declare-result.html Kenyan Poll Chief Pressured to Declare Result,] ''The Telegraph.'' Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref>
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| − | In July 2008, an exit poll commissioned by Steadman International was released, alleging that Odinga won the election by a comfortable margin of 6 percent, 46 percent to 40 percent, well outside of the exit poll's 1.3 percent margin of error.<ref>Kevin J. Kelley, [http://allafrica.com/stories/200807100577.html US-funded exit poll says Raila won elections,] ''Daily Nation.'' Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref> This contradicted the exit poll commissioned by Institute for Education in Democracy released immediately after elections which provided more detailed information.<ref>Wangui Kanina and Andrew Cawthorne, [http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL277107920071227 Early exit poll gives Kenya's Kibaki election lead,] Reuters. Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref>
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| − | ==Private life==
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| − | [[Image:Mwai Kibaki & wife at White House, October 2003.jpg|thumb|right|Mwai Kibaki and Mrs. Kibaki with U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] and Mrs. [[Laura Bush]] at the [[White House]] during a state visit to [[Washington, D.C.]] in 2003.]]
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| − | He is married to [[Lucy Kibaki]] (''née'' Muthoni), with whom he has one daughter, Judy Wanjiku, and three sons, Jimmy Kibaki, David Kagai, and Tony Githinji.
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| − | In 2004, the media reported that Kibaki has a second spouse allegedly married under customary law, [[Mary Wambui]], and a common daughter, [[Wangui Mwai]]. Mary Wambui is said to be provided with state bodyguards and other VIP privileges. She is also a [[National Rainbow Coalition]] activist. After the news broke, the State House released an unsigned statement that Kibaki's only immediate family is his wife, Lucy and their four children.<ref>Emily Wax, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A61727-2004Jan29?language=printer New Kenyan Soap Opera: The President's Two Wives,] ''Washington Post.'' Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref>
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| − | Mwai Kibaki is known to be a keen golfer and is one of the longtime members of the [[Muthaiga Golf Club]].<ref>State House Kenya, [http://www.statehousekenya.go.ke/speeches/kibaki/nov04/2004061101.htm Speech by H.E. President Mwai Kibaki.] Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref> He belongs to the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and attends the Holy Family Basilica Church.
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| − | ==Future==
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| − | According to Murunga and Nasong'o although Kibaki stood against Moi's chosen candidate, not much distinguishes his regime from his predecessors. He made a "show at combating corruption" but it is now as "endemic as ever." Western [[diplomacy|diplomats]] allege that corruption has cost Kenya one billion US$ since Kibaki's election.<ref>Murunga and Nasong'o (2007), 322.</ref> Like his predecessor, Kibaki manipulates politics to perpetuate his own rule. The alliance was really only a front for politicians who wanted an "opportunity for a stab at power."<ref>Murunga and Nasong'o (2007), 49.</ref> So far, Kibuki has failed to promote genuine democracy and has abrogated more power in the hands of the presidency. Kenya is unlikely to progress towards democracy unless power is "devolved from the presidency" and the "institutions of governance are restructured."<ref>Murunga and Nasong'o (2007), 5.</ref> The "transition from Moi to Kibaki" illustrates that "a mere change of guard is not, in and of itself, a basis for a new mode of politics." Kenyan governance remains basically a patrimony; Kibaki allows ministers "a wide margin of maneuver to ensure their continued support" and is unlikely to crack down on ministerial graft "given his reliance on corrupt senior politicians."<ref>Murunga and Nasong'o (2007), 323.</ref> "His close allies have been implicated in multi-million dollar scandals," says Njeri.<ref name=Njeri/> Ministers are interested in what they can gain not in the service they can give their nation. All three Kenyan Presidents have tended towards authoritarianism, hindering the development of democracy. In Kenya, this requires a stronger parliament, "decentralization of power to local democratic formations" and many more institutions for the "aggregation and articulation of interests"<ref>Murunga and Nasong'o (2007), 6.</ref>
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| − | ===Honors===
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| − | Honors awarded Kibaki include an honorary doctorate in Economics (2004) and one in Law (2008) both from Nairobi and in Science from Masinde Muliro University (2008).
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| − | {{Succession box
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| − | | title = [[Vice-President of Kenya|Vice President of Kenya]]
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| − | | before = [[Daniel arap Moi]]
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| − | | after = [[Josephat Njuguna Karanja]]
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| − | | years = 1978 – 1988
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| − | {{Incumbent succession box
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| − | | title = [[President of Kenya]]
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| − | | before = [[Daniel arap Moi]]
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| − | | start = 2002
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| − | ==Notes==
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| − | <references/>
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| − | ==References==
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| − | * Ahluwalia, D.P.S., and Paul F. Nursey-Bray. 1997. ''The Post-Colonial Condition: Contemporary Politics in Africa. Horizons in Post-Colonial Studies.'' Commack, NY: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN 9781560724858.
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| − | * Mbugua, Ng'ang'a. 2003. ''Mwai Kibaki: Economist for Kenya.'' Lion books. Nairobi, KE: Sasa Sema Publications. ISBN 9789966951205.
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| − | * Murunga, Godwin R., and Shadrack Wanjala Nasong'o. 2007. ''Kenya: The Struggle for Democracy. Africa in the New Millennium.'' London, UK: Zed Books. ISBN 9781842778579.
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| − | * Ngunjiri, Njuguna, William Okoth Ong'aro, and Mburu wa Mucoki. 2003. ''President Mwai Kibaki: The Long and Bumpy Road to State House.'' Nairobi, KE: Immediate Media Services.
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| − | ==External Links==
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| − | *[http://www.statehousekenya.go.ke/presidents/kibaki/kibaki-profile.pdf Profile of His Excellency Hon. Mwai Kibaki]. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
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| − | *[http://www.statehousekenya.go.ke/presidents/kibaki/profile.htm Profile of President Mwai Kibaki]. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
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| − | [[Category:Biography]]
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| − | [[Category:Politicians and reformers]]
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