Browsing by Author "Karani, Ogla C."

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    The Influence of Voter Behaviour on Political Leadership Effectiveness in Kenya
    (Strategic Journals, 2025-10) Karani, Ogla C.; Aseka, Eric Masinde; Wekesa, Peter Wafula
    This study examined the relationship between voter behaviour and political leadership in Kenya, focusing on how ethnic and issue-based voting patterns influence leadership selection, accountability, and governance quality. Despite repeated electoral reforms, ethnic identity and communal affiliations continue to shape voter decisions, limiting the emergence of merit-based leadership. The study aimed to (i) determine how ethnicbased voting affects leadership effectiveness, (ii) assess how issue-based voting contributes to accountability, and (iii) examine the moderating effect of institutional reforms on these relationships. It targeted 1,327 employees across five key governance institutions IEBC, CRA, KIPPRA, ORPP, and NCIC with a stratified random sample of 308 respondents. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS Version 28 through descriptive and inferential statistics. Guided by Social Identity Theory and Rational Choice Theory, the study found that ethnic identity remains the strongest predictor of voting behaviour, directly influencing leadership legitimacy and equity in governance. However, emerging evidence of issue-based voting among younger, educated voters indicates a gradual shift toward performance-oriented politics. The study concludes that Kenya’s democratic growth depends on civic awareness, equitable resource distribution, and institutional reforms. It recommends that electoral agencies intensify civic education, political parties enhance internal democracy, and policymakers strengthen mechanisms promoting inclusivity and issue-based political participation. These efforts can foster credible leadership, reduce ethnic polarization, and enhance national cohesion.