A political standoff in Kenya increasingly appears to be a genuine political crisis. What once was proclaimed as a victory for the rule of law now looks to have been only a moment of hope for democrats. The consequences for Kenya could be severe; some even speak of the breakup of the state. Such ambitions must be thwarted. Redrawing its borders would have consequences throughout the entire continent.

Kenya has held two presidential elections in three months. The first was the regularly scheduled ballot that is to be held every five years. The vote, held Aug. 8, was won by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who claimed a second term with 55 percent of ballots cast, defeating Raila Odinga, who won the remaining 45 percent of votes. Odinga protested the results and Kenya's Supreme Court agreed, ruling that procedural irregularities were sufficient to nullify the outcome.

Democrats in Kenya and throughout the world rejoiced at the decision: It was the first time that a court in Africa had overturned the results of an election and was thought to signal a degree of political and institutional maturity in a region where democracy is honored in words but rarely in practice.