The Impact of Electoral Violence on National Security: a Case Study of Nakuru County

Abstract

Up to date, historical grievances remain unanswered, especially regarding land distribution, as a crucial reason for violence in Kenya. In the current Central and Rift Valley, the colonial government confiscated much of farmland to progress agriculture.. The objectives of this study were: to trace the trends of election violence in Nakuru Municipality; to examine impact of Election violence on economic, social and political security in Nakuru county and to provide implementable solutions for curbing Election violence in Nakuru County in Kenya. This study was based on an eclectic approach (eclectic approach is a method of combining various approaches and methodologies to explain a concept). It derives from three concepts, authenticity, constructivism and liberalism. Hans J. Morgenthau is renowned for advancing authenticity in international relations. The research used qualitative research design which enabled the researcher to describe effects of election violence to national security. The research study relied on both primary and secondary data. Primary data was obtained through the interview of military officers who serve in Nakuru County and who hail from the same county. Data was also collected from Nakuru residents especially the internally displaced persons (IDPs). However this was complemented with secondary data from publications such as books and journals which was used to study election violence and national security. The collected data was edited to detect errors and omissions and corrected where possible. Qualitative details is thematically examined. Discourse analysis is used for recorded, spoken or sign linguistic studies. Discourse analysis entities are described in different ways in terms of consistent patterns of sentences, phrases, inflections and repetitions. Trend analysis is used to classify popular and recurring events, where the researcher analyzes behavioral trends and timeline of actions. Based on the findings the respondents agreed that the trends of election violence were attached to the following issues: Economic deprivation; ethnicity; historical injustice; land issues; lust for power; political utterances; stolen election and also unemployment. Other noted causes were poverty, historical injustice, corruption, vigilante groups, and violence recurrences among others. Based on the findings election violence in Nakuru County had effects on: economic, social and political security. After implementing the land-base policy, research and practical assertions on this trend throughout the whole country are recommended by the study. Formulate a debate forum (including external experience to provide a transnational perspective) by promoting, for instance, a project of a common state-civil society. The implementation of a program for the advancement of land policy laws like the National Cohesion and Reconciliation Commission and Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission, and also on how to approach national or regional organizations.