DIPLOMACY OF INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS IN CONSOLIDATING DEMOCRACY IN KENYA SINCE 1992

Abstract

Since the end of the Cold War, western countries pioneered the global diffusion of liberal democratic norms and principles on the strength of democratic peace theorists in pursuit for global economic prosperity, peace and security. Elections, therefore, were at the center of liberal democracy and flawed elections corroded political legitimacy of state actors. Similarly, the practice of election observation also gained widespread significance and engulfed many parts of the world. It thus became part of the new agenda of globalization of western forms of democratic electoral practice. Globally one can say that diffusion of liberal democratic norms has been somewhat successful, and the ideology widely accepted. Election observation was a phenomenon African states did not welcome but the “perks” that came with it were worth Western states monitoring elections in Continent. One such African country that seemingly has embraced election observation is the state of Kenya. International and citizen observers have monitored Kenya’s elections since the first multi party election as an independent state in 1992. Despite Kenya’s openness to the democratic norm of election observation, elections in Kenya have been marred with violence, widespread irregularities and state intimidation among other vices pointing to deficiencies in International Election Observation Missions as a pathway to democratic consolidation- an area that this study sought to interrogate. The general objective of this study was to investigate the diplomacy of international observer missions in consolidating democracy in Kenya Since 1992. The specific objectives of the study were to: Examine the nature and extent of the diplomacy of international election observer missions and democratization process in Kenya; Assess the efficacy of diplomacy of international election observer missions in democratization process in Kenya; Explore the democratization process in Kenya in the context of international election observer missions and to evaluate the challenges and opportunities arising from diplomacy of international observer missions in the democratization process in Kenya.The study triangulated power, functionalism, neofunctionalism and democratic peace theories. The study adopted descriptive survey, historical longitudinal and exploratory research designs. The sample size of the study was 128 respondents comprising election observers- both domestic and international, political parties, media, electoral commissioners, IEBC officials among others. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively by computing measures of central tendency, frequency counts and percentages. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and presented through narratives and verbatim quotations. Study findings on specific objective one established that strengthening host country diplomatic relations was strongly supported (76%); promotion of peace and stability (74%); Presidential elections received the highest support (46%) as being of interest to observers; Election phase had the highest observer attention (45%); Study findings on specific objective two revealed that observer missions were effective (64%) in democratic consolidation; Cooperation with host government (78%) was ranked highest as factor influencing effectiveness of IEOMs. Study findings on the third specific objective revealed that only two of eight or 25% of elections were free and fair; a mean majority (83%) respondents supporting IEOM reports had positive impact on democratic consolidation with secondary data showing very low uptake and implementation of IEOM recommendations. Study findings on the fourth specific objective revealed a number of challenges facing IEOMs: Accusation of bias (72%); Inability to deploy long term observers (67%); Interest bias (47%); Limited collaboration with domestic observer groups (41%). Opportunities included: Extension of mission stays (73%); Early deployment of IEOMs (64%); Collaboration with domestic observers (54%). Overall, arising from the findings, the study concludes that the diplomacy of IEOMs has had limited success (<20% of IEOM recommendations implemented) in consolidating democracy in Kenya since 1992 majorly because of the “observer-observed” dilemma on balance of strategic interests-realpolitik and the resort to peaceocracy, therefore accounting for cyclic cases of violence, electoral irregularities and state intimidation in Kenya’s elections since 1992. The fluid nature that this dilemma presents and will continue to inform diplomacy of IEOMs in democratic consolidation in future elections in Kenya. Policy recommendations include: establishment of a formalized framework that allows both domestic and IEOMs to operate within similar guidelines; Increased multisectoral engagement; Government of Kenya through independent bodies to review and implement outstanding IEOM recommendations and establishment of a structured framework that allows for stronger participation of domestic observers and civil society in implementation IEOMs outstanding recommendations in the post-election phase. A study on strategic manipulation in the context of IEOMs, an examination of the impact of reports on state legitimacy, an assessment impact of lack of implementation of outstanding IEOM recommendations are recommended.