The Nexus Between Conduct of Elections and Delimitation of Electoral Boundaries in Kenya

Abstract

Traditionally conflicts arising from the process of review and/or delimitation of boundaries 1 have been approached in a very theoretical and compartmentalised way, such that theory is emphasized and the practical aspect is shadowed. This is what motivated the researcher in that there is a need for the practical aspect of the process to be emphasized. It is for this reason that the researcher realized that the citizenry need to be informed constitutional aspects of the process of delimiting and reviewing electoral units/ boundaries and made to be aware of their constitutional rights. This project was used to ascertain the nexus between elections and delimitation of electoral boundaries in Kenya. The most applicable instrument in this research was the questionnaire and interview guide since it is covered a large sample of respondents. Primary data was the original data collected through other researchers for the same purpose. Stratified sampling design was used since the population of interest is not homogenous. The elements of interest were divided into groups to form strata and a random sample of 206 drawn out of the population of 427 representing a sample ratio. The study also analysed the gaps in the boundary delimitation legal framework and show the administration of the Courts during disputes emanating from this process. The researcher also examined the dominant characteristics of electoral boundaries and the circumstances under which disputes over their location have generated conflict and to deduce some general propositions about their conflict potential in elections and better means of settlement of disputes. The researcher also endeavoured to explain how the day today Kenyan politics and ethnicity affect resolution of boundary disputes and how this in turn affects, if at all, elections in Kenya.