Kenya's opposition party has been given a new opportunity to unseat the ruling party. Kenya's Supreme Court declared on Sept. 1 that the results of the Aug. 8 presidential election are invalid. The court ruling cited irregularities in the conduct of the election and orders that a fresh election be held within 60 days. Reports indicate that President Uhuru Kenyatta — previously marked as the contest's winner — will respect the court's decision.

The court decision noted a widespread failure to conduct the election in accordance to the Kenyan constitution. Specifically, court experts cited slow reporting from polling stations, figures not matching official results in some cases and the absence of official stamps on key election documents. It is important to note that international observers largely considered the elections free of irregularities. 

The court's ruling is a major development given that opposition candidates (including the current challenger, Raila Odinga) have called into question previous elections. Irregularities and delays filled the 2007 election, prompting the opposition to believe that the election had been stolen. The accusation incited widespread post-electoral violence, killing 1,500 people, displacing hundreds of thousands more, and causing severe disruptions to the Kenyan economy.

Preceding the Aug. 8 election, Raila Odinga's opposition camp consistently promoted the narrative that the ruling party intended to manipulate the results. Odinga's narrative helped to fuel lingering doubt, and the court's decision to annul the election lends initial credence to the potential of a concerted effort by the ruling party to alter the election results.

Consequently, the court's decision throws the country into an unknown situation, as both political camps will prepare for another bruising contest. Therefore, considering the tense situation in the weeks ahead, the potential for more post-electoral violence in various parts of the country remains possible.