| dc.description.abstract | Globally, political coalitions and party dynamics have shaped the course of nations, including
Kenya. Prior to and after gaining independence in 1963, Kenya has experienced an intricate and
ever-changing political environment marked by shifting alliances. This has often resulted in
political instability, challenges in policy implementation, uncertainty in governance, power
struggles, and impacts on socio-economic development. It is against this backdrop that the study
delved into the historical evolution of coalition formations and party discipline within the Kenyan
political sphere, shedding light on their impact on governance, stability, and democratic processes
over the decades. The study was guided by the following specific objectives to; trace the origins and
development of coalition politics in Kenya since 1945; explore the types of political coalitions in
Kenya since 1945; assess how party ideologies have shaped the development of political coalitions
in Kenya since1945 and evaluate how party discipline has impacted political coalitions in Kenya
since 1945. The study was anchored on Political Coalition theory and Social Exchange theory. The
study was carried out in Kenya covering 18 counties within the study period. The study was
founded on interpretivism research philosophy. Historical research design was used to guide the
study. The sample size was 454 respondents. This included a sample of 432 ordinary voters, 8
leaders of political parties, 6 respondents from civic organizations, 4 leaders from local
intelligentsia, and 4 experts on historical matters. Purposive, snowball and convenience sampling
techniques were used in the selection of the respondents. Primary data was collected using
questionnaires, focus group discussion guides and interview schedules. Document analysis guide
was used to collect both archival and secondary data. Archival data was collected from Kenya
National Archives whereas secondary data was sought from official reports, published and
unpublished theses, books, journal articles, newspapers, library sources and online sources.
Qualitative research techniques were used in data analysis. Qualitative data was analyzed based on
themes and presented through narratives and verbatim quotations. The findings of the study
revealed the intricate and ever-evolving landscape of coalition governance in Kenya, showcasing
how historical events, political transitions, and the interactions among diverse ethnic communities
have influenced the development of coalitions in Kenya over the years. Secondly, formation of
political coalitions was analyzed based on timing and nature revealing coalitions like pre-election,
post-election, issue-based and ethnic-based with various key figures that have had impacts on
political, social, and economic spheres. Thirdly, the results emphasize how party ideologies have
been both a unifying force and a divisive factor, influencing governance, socio-political dynamics,
and coalition building processes in Kenya. Lastly, the findings show that internal party coherence
and discipline are essential factors in shaping the dynamics of political alliances and their ability to
govern effectively and address the needs of the populace. The study concludes that political
coalitions have played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Kenyan politics, influencing
governance, social dynamics, and economic policies. To realize successful political coalitions and
party discipline in Kenya, the study recommends promotion of inclusivity and transparency within
political coalitions; fostering issue-based alliances transcending ethnic divisions; developing
coherent party ideologies beyond ethnic affiliations; cultivating a culture of strong party discipline
through training programs, transparent enforcement mechanisms, inclusive practices, continuous
evaluation, and public engagement. | en_US |
