Multi-party elections in Kenya is this a democratic reconstruction?

Abstract

This project paper was carried out with the main objective of determining whether multi-party elections in Kenya have led to democratic realization in the country. The researcher was out to establish whether multiparty elections produce governmenj-that are efficient, non corrupt and responsible. Multiparty democracy is based on election process that determines which party wins the elections and therefore forms the government.

There was therefore the need to establish whether the Electoral commission ofKenya (ECK) as established, is truly independent? If so, is it able to design laws that would lead to a truly free, fair and competitive elections? And lastly whether the system of holding three elections on the same day gives the electors a chance to effectively exercise their rights. The research was based on literature review and case studies. Contemporary literature on the subject was discussed primarily the literature concerning governance and democracy particularly election democracies.

Case studies were discussed from the researchers personal experience as a trainer of election officials in Westlands and Kisauni during the by-elections. The Two Turn Over test on the consolidation of democracy has been discussed and the theory has been used to determine whether the 1992, 1997 and 2002 elections were free open and fair.The conduct of the KANU and NARC political parties before and after elections is discussed. Resistance by both the political divide to change and implementation of reforms have shrinked the Inter Parliamentary Parties Groups (IPPG) reforms of 1997. This has grossly undermined the consolidation and deepening of democracy in Kenya. The researcher has also recommended for reforms and changes that may assist towards election democracy and the consolidation o-r democratic space in Kenya.