Youth Socialization In Ethnic Politics In Nairobi City County: The Case Of Kibra Constituency.

ABSTRACT

Politics is necessary for survival, and youth are socialized in politics in many ways. However, the manner in which individuals are socialized in politics at the youthful age affects their adult life. This research sought to investigate the level of ethnic political orientations and the formation of such political orientations in Nairobi County with a focus on Kibra Constituency (KC). Kibra Constituency was important because political aspirants import voters from their ethnic background for support into power. The research objectives were: to analyze the role played by the media in socialization of the young people in ethnic politics in KC; to examine the role that the family plays in the socialization of the youth in ethnic politics in KC; and to assess the role of school environment and that of the peers in orienting the youth in ethnic politics in KC. The study adopted a three-dimensional narrative space theory and social learning theory. The study employed the qualitative method in collecting and analyzing data. Purposive sampling and snowballing were used in the study. The study used oral interviews in the collection of primary data. Qualitative Data was arranged in a thematic way, and then analyzed. The findings indicated that the family and media socialize the youth in ethnic politics while the peer, the school, and its environment does not but creates awareness of the diverse communities in the society. The study concluded that there are several points of ethnic socialization among the youth.