Implications Of Electoral Management Practices On Interethnic Relations: A Case Of 2007 General Elections In Uasin Gishu And Trans-Nzoia Counties, Kenya

Abstract

Interethnic relations have been variously affected as a result of electoral management practices within the democratic frameworks of many countries in the world. Whereas ethnic relations are not so much affected in the developed world, developing countries with multi-ethnic diversities tend to experience adverse effects which include violent interethnic relations. Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu in Kenya, have been experiencing violent interethnic relations during the General Elections due to loose electoral management practice in the area.The role of electoral management practices in violent interethnic violence has not been appropriatly addressed by scholars. It is on this basis that this study was carried out to assess the implications of electoral management practices on interethnic relations: A case of 2007 Elections in Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia Counties. The specific objectives of the study were to: examine the pattern of electoral management practices that influenced interethnic violence, to assess the contribution of the structural context of electoral management practices in 2007 on interethnic relations in Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia Counties, to assess the challenges of electoral management practices in 2007 General Election on interethnic relations and to evaluate the effectiveness of the mitigation strategies adopted in the electoral management processes to improve interethnic relations in Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia Counties. The study adopted a qualitative research design using descriptive survey research and mixed-method approaches. Primary data was collected in Burnt Forest in Uasin Gishu and Kachibora in Trans-Nzoia Counties. The target population was 6,618 which included victims of elections, counting clerks, polling clerks, security officers and key informants comprising Camp administrators, County Commissioners, Chiefs, Village Elders, Registration clerks, Presiding Officers, County Returning Officers, Election Observers, Political Candidates, and Election Agents. The sample size was 363. This study used the conflict theory by Johann Galtung and the relative deprivation theory by Davis and Gurr and Models of Electoral Management by Catt et al. Data collection was through interviews, questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions which were tested for validity and reliability. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings from this study were presented in tables, pie charts, and bar graphs. It was found that electoral management practices have a pattern of instigating disputes that eventually contribute to interethnic violence. In addition, the structure of the electoral management body is amenable to manipulations thus facilitating electoral malpractices that fuel interethnic violence. Further, it was established that Electoral management is adversely affected by political influence on funding, recruitment of electoral officials and insufficient time to carry out its activities. The structural contexts of electoral management influenced ethnic relations leading to election violence and the mitigation measures in place were not effective to eliminate interethnic hatred. The study concludes that electoral management practices contribute to interethnic relations. The study will assist the government and policymakers to put in place measures to mitigate electoral management malpractices. Researchers will also benefit from the study in carrying out further research on the role of Electoral management system in other counties where similar problem exist. The study recommends that the electoral management ought to be restructured to have a positive impact on interethnic relations in the two counties. Re-designing of policy frameworks and strategies of the electoral process to curb election violence during the election cycle should be taken into account.