The Contribution of Post-Election Crises to the Growth of Electoral Democracy in Africa; A Case Study of The 2008 Post Election Violence in Kenya

ABSTRACT On 30th December 2007, following the announcement of the presidential election results in Kenya; violence broke out in several places across the country amidst claims that the electoral commission of Kenya (ECK) had rigged the presidential election. Sporadic eruptions continued for many weeks, bringing death and destmction to thousands of Kenyans. The general purpose of the study was to examine the contribution of the postelection violence to the growth of electoral democracy in Kenya and relate it to the rest of Africa. The objective of the study is to establish how the violence affected the growth of electoral democracy in Kenya, examine the constitutional and legal framework and identifies any weaknesses or inconsistencies in the electoral process, establish refonnative areas of the electoral system to enhance democratic elections and to establish measures to eradicate impunity and promote electoral democracy in Kenya. In confonnity with scope of the study, the report examines the causes of post-election crisis in Kenya from independence to date and presents its findings and recommendations. The study establishes that violence has been a recurring feature in Kenyan elections since independence and that violence had previously been confined within tribal lines. The 2008 post-election violence in Kenya intimidated the right to vote, and be voted in any political office and the concept of free and fair elections was greatly impaired. The study also found out that majority of the electorate think that even if they pmiicipate in democratic elections, the outcome will be compromised as it was in the 2007 elections thus voter apathy is prevalent among the people especially those in the violence-stricken areas. The study reconnnends that since democracy is a practice, there is a need to implement the findings and recommendations addressed in the Commission of Inquiry into Post Election Violence in Kenya (CIPEV) and the Independent Review Commission (IREC). vii Additionally, Kenya needs to establish and adopt a systematic political system that addresses national values. This will help overcome political affiliations that stem up from tribal notions and policies.