Cultural pluralism as a source of political instability in Kenya: a critical analysis
View/ Open
Date
2013-11Author
Muango, Ettah A
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Since her independence in 1963, Kenya has been marred by a wave of political instability that is
ethnically motivated. This research endeavors to within the context of the broader historical
background of conflict in Kenya and the theoretical framework on modernization to deal with the
effects of cultural pluralism on ethnic tolerance and political instability. It is a critical analysis of
cultural pluralism as a source of political instability in Kenya and great emphasis is laid on the
post election violence of 2007-2008 and others that preceded it though not of similar magnitude.
The research is illustrative of how ill-focused methodologies tend to substitute ethnic
accommodation in favor of the culture of exclusion founded on ethnic affiliation. In terms of
research design, the work is grounded in data collection and theoretical research. The collected
data is divided into four parts. The first part offers a systematic presentation of data relating to
culture, ethnicity and political instability in Kenya. The second part qualitatively gives an over
view of political instability in Kenya in an effort to develop a more complete understanding of
the origin of conflict both at the individual and group level. The third part covers cultural
pluralism as a source of political instability in Kenya. The fourth part is a critical analysis of the
linkage between cultural pluralism and political instability in Kenya. It concludes by providing
some key recommendations that if well implemented would contribute to the achievements of
the prospects of viable and sustainable institutions in plural societies.
Citation
A Research Project Submitted In Partial Fulfilment Of The Requirement Of The Degree Of Master Of Arts In International Conflict Management To The Institute Of Diplomacy And International Studies (IDIS), University Of NairobiPublisher
University of Nairobi Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies