AN ASSESSMENT OF ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN PROMOTING PEACEFUL ELECTIONS IN KENYA

Locha Erukudi

Abstract


At present, almost all the political parties are losing their legitimacy because of their lack of internal democracy, bad governance, and corruption, the game of power sharing and not committing to the national interest. Dispute in elections provide fertile ground for polarization, inter-party conflict, widespread violence, mistrust, and intolerance. The study aim was to assess the role of political parties in promoting peaceful elections in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey. The study targeted the secretary general of the political parties. The study population was 65 respondents. The census method was used to select the study respondents. The study sample size was 65 respondents. The study used questionnaires to collect data. Descriptive statistics data analysis method was applied to analyze numerical data gathered using closed ended questions. Pearson R correlation was used to measure strength and the direction of linear relationship between variables. Multiple regression models were fitted to the data in order to test the influence of the independent variables on the dependent variable. Data was presented in form of tables. The study found that the political parties raise awareness of social cohesion and maintaining peace during elections, the actors desist from making wild and unsubstantiated allegations against political opponents and other election stakeholder, actors refrain from using indecent or abusive language on air, supporters are urged to be tolerant, participating in election management and followers are urged to maintain peace during and after elections. The study concludes that political parties play a significant role promoting peaceful elections in Kenya.  The study recommends that there is need for the political parties to publicly indicate their desire for peaceful elections by signing and enforcing a code of appropriate conduct and by including the democratic values of respect for dignity and human rights in their public speeches and their actions. Internal censure of their members (even prominent ones) for any language or action that threatens social cohesion would be a good approach for political parties to provide credible evidence of their desire for peaceful elections.

Key Words: political parties, peaceful elections

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