The role of non-state actors in building democracy in Africa: a case study of kenya 1978-2016

Abstract

Democracy can be traced to the colonial period in Kenya and is presumed to have come with the white man, together with his other practices like religion, capitalism and education. After the exit of the colonialists and as democracy developed, their ideologies had to be developed through formal or informal institutions that were deemed important at the time in the name of Non State Actors (NSAs). They took the mantle from the colonialists and carried the aspirations of a nascent Nation-State. This research seeks to assess the Role of NSAs in the building of Democracy in Kenya. The research study was guided by the constructivist theoretical framework which defines NSAs through the lenses of identities, norms and interest as opposed to the main paradigms of International Relations which are based on the state as the main body of interaction in world politics. Descriptive data was obtained from secondary sources and is interpreted in debate form. The data was analyzed vis-à-vis the constructivist theory. The main causes of failing Democracy in Africa include; impunity and failure to respect the rule of Law i.e. the constitution, failure of government institutions to perform their constitutional duties and responsibilities, deep ethnic divisions among African nations. After interpretation and discussion of the data, conclusions were drawn and recommendations given.