Kenya's 2017 election followed a predictable script. Until it didn't.

Incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta faced longtime rival Raila Odinga. Kenyatta won the August election by 10 percentage points, or 1.4 million votes. Odinga alleged fraud and petitioned the Supreme Court. Violence spread through parts of the country. Dozens were killed. Kenyatta was poised to begin a second term.

Then, everything changed.

In an unprecedented move, three weeks after Kenyans went to the polls, the Supreme Court nullified the election. It said the vote was irregular and illegal, and it ordered a do-over.

Now, little is certain. A new election is slated for October 26, but Odinga has withdrawn from the race. A 2013 Supreme Court judgment says fresh nominations must ensue if a candidate "abandons the electoral quest." But six other candidates were on the ballot in addition to Kenyatta and Odinga, and the constitution says they're entitled to take part in the re-election.

Meanwhile, tensions are high as the government clamps down on protesters in three major cities.

Here's a recap of events leading up to — and following — the election:

Pre-election slaying

July 31 — Authorities discover the body of a senior manager with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. Christopher Msando, who ran the commission's IT group and oversaw its electronic voting systems, was tortured and slain.

Polls open

August 8 — Polls open for the 2017 general election. Kenyans vote for a president, parliament and regional leaders. Polls suggest either incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta or challenger Odinga Raila could win.

August 10 — Wafula Chebukati, chairman of the IEBC, discloses that an unsuccessful attempt to hack the voting system was made a week before the election.

VOA