Dynamics in Party Politics in Kenya, 1963-2013; Beyond the Neoliberal Paradigm
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Date
2016-06
Authors
Otieno, Isaiah Oduor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Kenya attained independence in 1963 under a multi-party system. Within a year of
independence party pluralism was abandoned for a single-party regime that was
heralded for enhancing unity among the ethnically fragmented population. With the
fall of communism in the late 1980s there emerged a new trajectory in world politics
that ushered in multi-party politics in the African continent. With the re-introduction
of multi-party politics in Kenya beginning 1991 it was highly expected that the
transition to multi-party politics and regular elections would over time lead to
qualitatively improved political institutions. To the disappointment of many citizens
the return of party pluralism only resulted in the proliferation of a number of political
parties. There seem to be a missing link between party pluralism and good
governance. This study made a historical analysis of political party politics in Kenya
between 1963 and 2013. To begin with, a historical reconstruction of the evolution of
political parties in Kenya between 1919 and 1963 was undertaken. .The nature and
character of party politics in the single party regime has been examined. The impact
of the re-introduction of multi-party politics on party politics was also evaluated. With
specific focus on KANU and ODM this study examined issues that dominate the
operations of political parties in Kenya notably; structure, organization and
management. Finally this study questioned the relevance of western neo-Iiberal
thinking in the analysis of political parties in Africa. Anchored on the post-colonial
theory, this study argued that political parties in Africa should be examined in the
context of the African state as a colonial construct. This study did note that although
political parties in Kenya emerged as colonial liberation movements the ruling elite in
the post-independent period have used them to monopolize and maintain control of
state power. The study also revealed that the re-introduction of party pluralism in
Kenya never resulted in any substantial change in party politics, but only in the
proliferation of political parties which were regional and ethnic in composition. It was
further revealed that the political elite in Kenya continue to patronize and use political
parties as tools of mobilization in their quest for the capture of state power.
Description
Thesis submitted for the award of the degree of doctor of philosophy of Kenyatta University, June 2016