January 1 - Riots in Kenya escalated following the tension after disputed presidential elections. On January 1, 2008, a mob attacked and set fire to a church in the town of Eldoret, where hundreds of people had taken refuge. As a result, at least 30 people, mostly Kikuyus, were burned to death.[1][2]
June 10 - Four people, including politicians Kipkalya Kones and Lorna Laboso were killed in an aviation accident. They were on board of a Cessna 210 plane that crashed, without survivors.[5]
June 11 - The first parliamentary by-elections in Kenya after the chaotic 2007 general elections were held. Out of five seats contested, ODM won three and PNU two. However, ODM lost the Embakasi Constituency seat to PNU.[6]
July 15 - Prime minister Raila Odinga issued an order for "illegal" settlers of Mau Forest to be evicted.[8]
July 31 - Cattle raiders shot around 30 herdsmen at Suguta Valley. The herdsmen were chasing raiders, who had earlier stolen their cattle, but the herdsmen ran out of ammunition.[9]
August 11 - The results of Kamukunji Constituency of the 2007 parliamentary elections were not tallied until now due to a court case. Simon Mbugua of PNU was declared the winner.[10]
August 13 - a Fokker F27-500 cargo aircraft operated by Fly540. crashed about 20 km (12 mi) from the Namber Konton airport near Mogadishu, Somalia. All three crew members died. The aircraft was carrying a shipment of miraa (khat). The plane had departed from Wilson Airport in Nairobi.[11]
September 25 - By-elections were held in Bomet and Sotik constituencies and were won by Beatrice Kones and Joyce Laboso respectively. Both represent ODM, as did their predecessors, who died in an aviation accident in June.[12]
November 1 - A Nakumatt Supermarket and other fully operational properties were demolished in Nairobi to pave way for the expansion of Thika Road.[15]
November 5 - The Kenya people celebrated the election of Barack Obama as president of the United States. The following day November 6 is declared a public holiday in Kenya. His father, Barack Obama, Sr. was raised and buried in Nyang'oma Kogelo village in western Kenya.
December 11 - Kenyan parliament passes the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act regulating media in Kenya. Critics say the bill meant to suppress the freedom of press, while the Kenyan government denies it.[16]
December 24 - President Kibaki signs a bill disbanding the Electoral Commission of Kenya. It will be replaced by Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC).[18]
December 31 - Over 120 political parties, four with a parliamentary representation, failed to meet the deadline for complying with the new Political Parties Act and face deregistration.[19]
Years in Kenya (1963–present)