AN EXAMINATION OF IMPLICATIONS OF ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN KENYA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Elections hold a pivotal role in every political landscape, yet they frequently become tainted by acts of violence. They represent the sole authorized avenue for individuals to attain positions of political authority or leadership, and are therefore indispensable for fostering credible governance within a democratic framework. Through elections, the public bestows legitimacy upon their chosen leaders, effectively voicing their collective will and sovereignty. Furthermore, election cycles serve as critical junctures for citizens to evaluate the performance of the incumbent political party and to set their expectations for future administrations.

Electing someone or being elected as an officer to any political office in a state system is both a human and political right. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) Article 21, “the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government as expressed in periodic and genuine elections.”Also, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights asserts that “every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity to vote and be elected at genuine periodic elections.” However,elections are often considered as the “silver bullet solution” to civil war. They are often marking the end of a peaceful transition phase of a regime to the new. Nevertheless, there are many cases elections are not enough; neither can they be considered the only maker of a democratic transition. Nevertheless, the processes and outcomes of elections in many countries are not desirable and raise significant concerns for all.

Conceptually, the term ‘violence’ is refer to as  a behaviour involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something. There are many definitions to the term electoral violence. According to Laakso (2017), notes that: “electoral violence is an activity motivated by an attempt to affect the results of the elections – either by manipulating the electoral procedures and participation or by contesting the legitimacy of the results”. Also, Fischer (2017) defines electoral violence as “any harm or threat of harm to any person or property involved in the election process, or the process itself, during the election period”. Additionally, following the announcement of presidential election results on December 30, 2007, Kenya experienced the worst electoral violence since the inception of multiparty politics in 1992, leaving more than 1,100 people dead, 650,000 displaced, and the country deeply divided.

Further more, some of the electoral violence occurred opportunistically, where politicians choose to reinforce their chances of election by instigating violence.

The immediate and real consequence of the election violence in Kenya is felt most at personal and family level. There is loss of security in the conflict-prone areas as the civilians take the law into their own hands, targeting perceived enemies. As a result of insecurity, there is indiscriminate loss of human life. Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to examine the implications of electoral violence in Kenya.

 1.2 Statement of the Problem

Elections are essential to democracy because they allow one group to hand over power to another. It can also facilitate communication between politicians and citizens, giving voices to the public.However,violence tends to cluster around election times or in an ultimate kind of electoral fraud to manipulate election results. Additionally, election violence may include the harassment of the potential candidates or voters, assault, and intimidation of candidates, election workers, voters; rioting; destruction of property; and political assassination, etc. (Höglund, 2019). Election violence, however, can make voters reluctant to cast their ballots at voting centers and candidates afraid to run for office. Therefore,it is in the light of these that the study seeks to examine the implications of electoral violence in Kenya.

 1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to an examination of implications of electoral violence in Kenya. Specifically, the study will;

1. Investigate the effect of electoral violence on  democratic process in Kenya

2. Investigate the underlying causes of electoral violence in Kenya.

3. Determine the extent electoral violence influence the political stability of Kenya

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

1. What is the impact of electoral violence on the democratic process in Kenya?

2. What are the root causes of electoral violence in Kenya?

3. To what extent does electoral violence influence the political stability of Kenya?

1.5  Significant of the Study

An examination of implications of electoral violence in Kenya will be revealed to the government at various levels, policymaker, politicians, strategists, the electorate, election managers and  residents  in this study. It will additionally equip politicians with information necessary for building relationships for their future campaigns.

Further more, the study will be revealed to the electorate as the information gathered will strengthen their levels of interaction and political participation processes. Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to an examination of implications of electoral violence in Kenya.

1.6 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on an examination of implications of electoral violence in Kenya. Theoretically, this study will discuss the effect of electoral violence on  democratic process in Kenya, the underlying causes of electoral violence in Kenya and determine the extent electoral violence influence the political stability of Kenya.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to people in Muranga, Kenya

1.7 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents.

In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed.

More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

 1.8 Definition of Terms

Electoral violence: Laakso (2017) notes that: “electoral violence is an activity motivated by an attempt to affect the results of the elections – either by manipulating the electoral procedures and participation or by contesting the legitimacy of the results”.

Implication: refer to the consequences, effects, or results of a particular action, decision, or event. In this context, it means that something follows as a natural outcome of a specific situation or action.