Opposition rejects Cambridge Analytica poll claims

Kenya’s official opposition has rejected revelations by UK data-mining firm Cambridge Analytica on Kenya's 2013 and 2017 general elections. Cambridge Analytica reported that Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga, who was the defunct Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) presidential candidate in 2013, turned it down because he was sure of defeating then Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta. The firm was accused of employing dirty political tricks for its clients, including sowing tribal discord and spreading fake news. In the run-up to the 2017 poll, ODM reportedly tried to enlist the services of Cambridge Analytica, but the firm refused because it only worked with governments. ODM secretary-general Edwin Sifuna said the firm's revelations were ‘curious’ and only meant to create the impression that elections could only be won only with its assistance. ‘The party refused to work with an evil organisation that uses propaganda to divide the country,’ Sifuna told The Nation. The ruling Jubilee Party has acknowledged using the firm's services in past elections, but denied any involvement in illegalities.

Full report in The Nation