Ethnic Tensions In Kibera During The 2017 General Elections In Kenya.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The general objective of the study is to dissect ethnic tensions during election periods, case of 2017 in Kibera. The objectives of the study are set out as follows: to determine the relationship between ethnic tensions and politics in Kenya, to examine the recurrence of ethnic tensions during elections in Kenya and to establish whether the current constitution addresses the problem of negative ethnicity. The study targeted a population that is registered as voters in Kibera Constituency. The target population is 1182 respondents who acted as a representative of the whole Kibera eligible voters. The researcher used a sample size of 1% of the target population. This translated to 118 respondents. The research used both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. This allowed the researcher to place where the information obtained through primary sources. The methods also provided the opportunity to examine the data and derive meaning and understanding in order to answer the research question and to test the hypothesis. Quantitative and qualitative methods allowed for the researcher to examine a variety of explanations offered in the data. The study found out that there is a relationship between ethnic tensions and politics in Kenya, the respondents said that in the past, tensions over elections were nonetheless often resolved peacefully in negotiations of tribal community leaders. Over the decades, this has become increasingly more difficult. There are several reasons, including population growth and the impacts of climate change. This was supported by the majority number of the respondents participated in the study. Kenya’s democracy is not fit for purpose, this because the country’s democracy hasn’t taken into account Kenya’s ethnic makeup. Ethnic tensions recur every election cycle, making it pretty obvious that politics in Kenya is a game of ethnic numbers. Kenyans live in an ethnic state that exists within the civic space, guided by a constitution, but dominated by institutions that are populated by a positive sum group. By positive sum the two tribes that have occupied the presidency since independence - the Kikuyu and the Kalenjin . The current constitution has tried to address the problems of negative ethnicity since it directions electoral reforms that describes the process of introducing fair electoral systems where they are not in place, or improving the fairness or effectiveness of existing systems. The study recommends that a hybrid model system of government to be adopted that would maintain parts of Kenya’s current system of government while completing the ethnic equation.