This was due in part to the electoral cycle: political tension tends to rise when incumbents are defending their seats, and in 2013 incumbent president Mwai Kibaki had already served two terms and wasn’t eligible for re-election. 
Haya yalitokea kama sehemu katika mzunguko wa uchaguzi: mvutano wa kisiasa huinuka pale viongozi waliopo madarkani wnapojaribu kutetea nafasi zao, mnamo mwaka 2013 kiongozi liyekuwa madarakani Rias Mwai Kibaki alikuwa tayari mekwisha tumikia taifa kwa vipindi viwili mfululizo na hakuwa na vigezo kama mgombea tena katika uchaguzia.