The role of ethnicity in democratization in Africa
Abstract
The constitution-making process in Kenya has not only been unsuccessful but has also stalled
at several points while bearing the characteristic of sporadic violence between different ethnic groups.
This study sets out to investigate the role of ethnicity in constitution-making in Kenya with the period
under review being between 1990 to 2005.
The study establishes that ethnicity has been used as a political tool in Kenya since the
colonial times. In the post-independence period, this was exhibited by ethnic political appointments in
all the regimes that have ruled the country. It was also evident in the voting patterns during
presidential elections and the constitutional referendum that ethnicity is a central line of cleavage. The
hesitancy and stalemate in the constitution-making process in Kenya stems from the fear that if any
thorough economic and political reforms are implemented, most powerful politicians will loose
credibility. The study concluded that the results of the 2005 referendum suggest that ethnicity is
important in explaining constitutional choice in Kenya. The association between ethnic identity and
political affiliation in Kenya has provided the underlying logic for politically motivated ethnic
violence. Such violence has also affected the constitution-making process both negatively and
positively. The study also identified possible solutions to the ethnic conflicts in multi-ethnic societies
and specifically the Kenyan case including new constitution, devolution and so on.
Publisher
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
Collections
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