In Focus | Kenya
Shillings, prayers and votes: democracy in a very religious country

Palace Intrigues
Jay-Z, Pascaline Bongo, Lionel Talon, Franck Biya, Muhammadu Sanusi II

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

AfricaA host of VIPs at Jay-Z's Parisian concert

CameroonFranck Biya on low-key trip to France

NigeriaThe Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, visits Paris

Kenya
Ruto revives his religious networks

The president's entourage is seeking to forge closer ties with the Presbyterian Church, which is very popular in central Kenya. In recent months, the head of state has lost support in this region while continuing to win over the western part of the country, including through religious circles.

Kenya
Ruto orders interior minister to go easy on churches close to government

The Kenyan government is treading carefully in dealing with the excesses of some of the country's religious institutions. The security agencies are scrutinising the country's most suspect pastors, but have had orders from on high to spare those close to the government.

Kenya
Mark Kariuki, the bishop whispering in Ruto's ear

Kenya's new president has opened the doors of State House to a host of religious leaders, who have quickly become omnipresent. Among them is a long-time ally: the evangelist Mark Kariuki, who played a key role in Ruto's political rise.

Kenya
Ruto and Odinga snub religious leaders' call for peaceful elections

The leaders of Kenya's main Christian churches called on the two leading presidential candidates to meet and commit to a peaceful election. They have declined the invitation.

Kenya
Odinga and Ruto look to polls to guide election strategy

In the run-up to the general election, rival polling institutes and media outlets are churning out figures and predictions that are sometimes at odds with each other. These statistics are being scrutinised closely by the political parties to inform their campaign choices.

Kenya
Kenyatta and Odinga's dilemma over choice of future deputy president

The outgoing Kenyan president wants to influence the choice of Raila Odinga's running mate in upcoming elections, even if it means accentuating the tensions within their coalition. The decision must be taken before 28 April.

Kenya
Gloves come off in Ruto's battle with Kenyatta

The deputy president's remaining allies in the government have resigned in order to reach out to the grass roots and help finance his election campaign. Now that they have nothing left to lose, they are preparing a concerted offensive against the Kenyan leader.

Kenya
Odinga keen to rally religious heads

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is keen to find allies to support his demand for a referendum on the government [...]