AN INVESTIGATION ON THE CAUSES OF ELECTORAL APATHY IN KENYA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Democracy is widely regarded as a highly esteemed system of governance due to its inherent capacity to uphold and foster fundamental principles. The popularity of democracy as a system of governance can be attributed to various factors, such as the presence of the rule of law, equality among citizens, the supremacy of the constitution, the protection of fundamental human rights, the division of powers, the regular occurrence of elections, and other defining qualities (Olakunle & Modupe, 2015). Periodic elections are widely regarded as a crucial indicator for assessing the robustness of democratic systems. Periodic elections provide citizens the opportunity to express their democratic right to vote, thereby selecting the highest-ranking legislators and executives at regular intervals.

It is evident that voting holds a significant role in bestowing legitimacy upon the elected government in democratic nations globally. This is particularly true when eligible voters exercise their right to self-governance by selecting their rulers. The act of voting holds significant importance, not solely limited to national elections, but also extending to other commercial and public institutions. Nevertheless, the practise of voting has been employed as a means of addressing the significant issue of leader selection in several countries, organisations, and private spheres, particularly in cases where the procedure is devoid of fraudulent activities. However, it is important to note that the governing authority responsible for overseeing elections wields significant influence over the credibility, freedom, and fairness of the electoral process. The significance of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in all democratic systems cannot be emphasised. The outcome of an election is predominantly influenced by the efficacy and proficiency of the election administration entities. Nigeria has witnessed the establishment of multiple election management bodies prior to its independence, mostly with the aim of enhancing the calibre of electoral processes inside the nation. Despite the evolution of terminology used to describe election management agencies, the management of elections continues to be a significant vulnerability in Nigeria's political progress. According to scholarly research, the persistence of electoral violence in Nigeria, stemming from inadequately managed elections, is a significant obstacle to the process of democratic consolidation. This challenge persists due to the insufficiency of measures implemented to effectively address and mitigate electoral violence (Onapaja, 2015). The implementation of neoliberal market reforms by consecutive governments following the country's transition to democracy has been attributed to the alienation of the country's general population from participating in elections (Bolaji, 2015).

The origins of Kenya's democratic system can be traced back to the nation's attainment of independence in 1963. The establishment of periodic elections has subsequently solidified the definition of political leadership as embodied under the nation's constitution. According to the Afrobarometer Round 8 poll conducted in Kenya, a significant proportion of the population (74%) expressed a preference for a regular, transparent, and fair electoral process as the preferred method for choosing leaders into public office (Afrobarometer, 2019). The endeavour to strengthen democratic governance through regular, unrestricted, equitable, and trustworthy elections has encountered numerous obstacles, given the nation's struggle with inadequate institutions and politically motivated divisions based on ethnicity. Consequently, there is a noticeable lack of interest among voters towards electoral procedures. This study will look at some of these factors that have turned voters in Kenya against the political processes.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

On August 9, 2022, citizens residing inside the national borders as well as those living abroad participated in the electoral process by casting their votes during a general election. At the national level, there were currently two prominent contenders, namely Deputy President William Ruto and longstanding opposition leader Raila Odinga, engaged in a highly contested competition to assume the presidency following the conclusion of outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta's second and last term in office. The electoral period coincided with a period of notable economic dissatisfaction, as numerous Kenyan citizens expressed apprehension at the escalating cost of living, mounting public debt, and the widespread prevalence of corruption (Onapaja, 2015).

Considering the absence of Kenyatta's eligibility for reelection and the fragmentation of the ruling coalition inside the country, it is inevitable that Kenya would undergo a transition in leadership, regardless of the eventual outcome.

As the Kenyan populace geared up to participate in the recent electoral process, it became evident that the implementation of the 2010 constitution has been more frequently disregarded than adhered to, while the persisting system of colonial exploitation it aimed to rectify remains operational. Under such conditions, the act of encouraging young individuals to engage in voter registration might be perceived as inadvertently subjecting them to being utilised as mere instruments for voter turnout manipulation, thereby endorsing electoral competitions that perpetuate a colonial system that promotes and incentivizes fraudulent practises, ultimately benefiting the victors. For over six decades, the citizens of Kenya have consistently participated in the electoral process by forming queues to cast their votes. Throughout each election, a significant proportion ranging from half to two-thirds of the incumbent officials deemed unsatisfactory by the electorate have been removed from office. However, the alternative options they have put out have demonstrated only marginal improvements. Instead of lamenting the lack of interest among young individuals in participating in the game of musical chairs, it is imperative for those of us who have been actively engaged in this activity to acknowledge that the issue does not lie in identifying the individuals occupying seats when the music ceases. The game itself is the subject of discussion.

The primary inquiry that pervaded the electoral period pertained to the underlying causes for the diminished voter turnout. This study aims to investigate on the causes of electoral apathy in Kenya.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the causes of electoral apathy in Kenya. Specific objectives of this study are to:

i.          Determine the prevalence of electoral apathy in Kenya

ii.        Identify the factors which contributed to electoral apathy during the 2022 general election in Kenya

iii.      Ascertain the implications of electoral apathy during the 2022 general election in Kenya

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following questions will be answered in this study:

i.          What is the prevalence of electoral apathy in Kenya?

ii.        What are the factors which contributed to electoral apathy during the 2022 general election in Kenya?

iii.      What are the implications of electoral apathy during the 2022 general election in Kenya?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The implicated institutional lapses in the massive apathy of eligible voters in 2022 general election has been brought to limelight. Findings of this study will be useful to the election management board as it would encourage Kenya’s electoral body to develop framework that enables every eligible registered voter to exercise his/her franchise in future elections.This study will be significant to the government as it will be exposed to the several atrocities committed by political party gents during election, thereby deploying security agents to allow for the protection of ballot papers and voters respectively.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Broadly, this study focuses on investigate the causes of electoral apathy in Kenya. Specifically, this study focuses on determining the prevalence of electoral apathy in Kenya, identifying the factors which contributed to electoral apathy during the 2022 general election in Kenya and ascertaining the implications of electoral apathy during the 2022 general election in Kenya.

1.7 LIMITATIONS 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. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.

Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Electorate: This includes all the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election.

Voters apathy: Voter apathy is a lack of interest among voters in the elections of representative democracies.