Electoral Reforms and Democratic Consolidation in Kenya, 1997 – 2017.
Abstract
The study examines how electoral reforms have impacted democratic consolidation in Kenya,
from 1997 to 2017. It is guided by the following specific objectives: To examine how electoral
laws carried out in Kenya from 1997 to 2017 have enhanced democratic consolidation in
Kenya; to determine how the institutionalization of political parties enhanced democratic
consolidation in Kenya from 1997 to 2017; and, to examine how the integration of electoral
technology within Kenya’s electoral architecture enhanced democratic consolidation from
1997 to 2017. The motivation to focus on the above topic is informed by the fact that elections
are important ingredient in facilitating democratic transition and deepening democracy in any
society. The reforms on the other hand is intended to address the challenges that might arise
out of the elections. Thus, the complementarity in the role of the two in any democracy cannot
be over-emphasized. Minimalist and maximalist approaches formed the conceptual framework
for the study. In democratic theory, countries move from being minimal to become maximal
democracies. Further, the study was carried out through a case study approach using semistructured
interviews with key stakeholders/actors involved, or impacted directly or indirectly
in the electoral processes. The findings of the study show that the adoption of electoral reforms
has to a large extent facilitated the process of democratic consolidation in Kenya. These
reforms have in their wake deepened trust and confidence while motivating participation by
Kenyan voters. They have also ensured relative political stability and elicited more pressing
demands for further reforms in the electoral process. Against this backdrop, the study concludes
that electoral reforms are an indispensable requirement for Kenya’s aspiration to transition into
a stable and progressive democracy. Drawing from Kenya’s past experiences in electoral
reform, the study suggests three recommendations: Policy makers should take cognizant of
political-will as it sets the right environment for reform; and ensure that fundamental principles
such as independence, transparency, inclusiveness are upheld; and then, there is need for more
research on how electoral systems impacts on the democratic consolidation process in Kenya.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
- Faculty of Arts [657]
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