Electoral Processes And The Future Of Democracy In Kenya: A Case Study Of The 2013 Presidential Elections

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATION ................................................................................................................................. i

DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................ .ii

APPROVAL .................................................................................................................................. iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... iv

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................................... viii

LIST OF STATUTES ..................................................................................................................... ix

CHAPTER ONE .............................................................................................................................. I

1.0 Background to the Study ........................................................................................................... I

1.1 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................................... 3

1.2 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................................... 4

Research Questions ......................................................................................................................... 4

Objectives of the Study ................................................................................................................... 5

Scope ............................................................................................................................................... 5

Justification ...................................................................................................................................... 6

1.7 Methodology ................................................................ .-............................................................. 6

1.8 Synopsis of Chapters ................................................................................................................. 7

CHAPTER TW0 ............................................................................................................................. 9

LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................................ 9

2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 9

2.1 Qualities of Democracy ............................................................................................................. 9

2.2 Elections and Democracy ........................................................................................................ I 0

2.3 Democratic Governance .......................................................................................................... !!

2.4 Democracy and the Process of Elections in Selected Jurisdictions ......................................... 12

2.4.1 The Electoral Process in Ghana ............................................................................................ I 2

2.4.2 The Electoral Process in South Africa .................................................................................. I 5

CHAPTER THREE ....................................................................................................................... I 8

LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE

ELECTORAL PROCESS IN KENYA ......................................................................................... 18

3.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... I 8

3.1 The Legal Framework ........................................................................................................... I 9

3.1.1 The Kenyan Constitution of2010 ..................................................................................... 19

3.1.2 The Elections Act, Number 24 of2011 ................................................................................ 20

3.1.3 The Political Parties Act, Cap 7 A ......................................................................................... 21

3 .1.4 The Election Offences Act, Cap 66 ...................................................................................... 22

3.1.5 Other Laws ............................................................................................................................ 23

3.2 Institutional Framework (The IEBC) .................................................................................... 24

3.2.1 The Role of!EBC ................................................................................................................. 25

3.3 The Judiciary ........................................................................................................................... 27

3.3.1 Independence of the Judiciary .............................................................................................. 27

3.3.2 The Role of the Judiciary in Promoting Free and Fair Elections ......................................... 27

3.3.4 The Role Played by the Judiciary in the 2013 Presidential Elections .................................. 28

3.4 The Police ................................................................................................................................ 29

3.4.1 The Role Played by the Police in the 2013 Presidential Elections ....................................... 30

3.5 The Media ................................................................................................................................ 30

3.5.1 The Role of the Media in the Electoral Process ................................................................... 31

3.5.2 The Role Played by the Media in 2013 Presidential Elections ............................................ 31

CHAPTER FOUR ......................................................................................................................... 33

CAUSES OF THE DISPUTED PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION'S RESULTS ............................. 33

4.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 33

4.0.1 The Election Petition ............................................................................................................ 33

4.0.2 Grounds of the Petition ......................................................................................................... 34

4.0.3 Court's Findings and Decision ............................................................................................. 35

4.0.2 Research Findings ................................................................................................................ 36

4.1 Inadequate Time for Voter Registration .................................................................................. 36

4.2 Non-Issue ofNational Identity Cards ...................................................................................... 36

4.3 Buying of identity Cards ............................................ .-........................................................... 37

4.4 Ethnic-based threats ................................................................................................................. 38

4.5 Irregular Procurement of Voting Materials ............................................................................. 38

4.6 Insufficient Training of Electoral Staff ................................................................................... 39

4. 7 Failure of the Electronic Systems ............................................................................................ 39

4.8 The Commission's Disregard to Technical Advice ................................................................ .41