An analysis on the contribution of European Union foreign electoral assistance on Kenya’s general elections integrity

Abstract

In both the global North and South, electoral integrity serves as the bedrock of democratic societies, and is an idea used to mean ensuring the legitimacy of election outcomes and fostering peaceful transitions of power. Nonetheless, challenges in this realm persist, particularly in developing nations such as Kenya. The European Union (EU) has emerged as a significant player, providing electoral assistance in an attempt to address these challenges. This study analyzed the EU's contribution in enhancing Kenya's general elections integrity using three analytical objectives which are the main avenues through which EU supports Kenya‘s electoral democracy; civic education, technical and capacity building, and finally to examine key electoral stakeholder perceptions on EU‘s support. Informed by the Democratic Peace Theory, the study employed a mixed-methods approach to provide a comprehensive understanding of the EU's impact. Quantitative analysis involved a diverse sample of 384 individuals across nine strata, encompassing media, ORPP, JLAC, judiciary, political parties, IEBC, law enforcement, CSOs, and local observers. Qualitatively, 31 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) provided in-depth insights while quantitative data were collected using semi-structured survey questionnaire. To ensure the rigor of findings, multiple data sources were employed and tools underwent pre- testing. Each objective was pursued through both quantitative and qualitative means. Questionnaire data were subjected to simple descriptive statistics, while KII data were analyzed thematically. Study found that EU's role in civic education, revealed that 68% of respondents considered EU interventions highly effective in promoting voter education. KII data corroborated this, with CSOs highlighting the EU's crucial contribution to enhancing civic and political consciousness; it also indicated that 53% of respondents perceived EU‘s capacity building and technical support as highly necessary with CSOs and the IEBC echoing this sentiment, emphasizing the positive impact of EU capacity-building and technical support initiatives. However, only 33% of the respondents supported the views that EU‘s interventions can lead to free, fair and credible elections through technical and capacity building; in-depth interviews further revealed that EU‘s electoral assistance is not enough but what matters in the extent of ―political hygiene‖ within Kenya‘s body politick. Lastly, stakeholders' perceptions of EU contributions. While 66% of respondents believed that EU interventions significantly improved electoral integrity, KII insights provided a nuanced picture. CSOs and the IEBC displayed confidence in the EU's role, while political parties, ORPP, and law enforcement expressed skepticism. The findings shed light on the multifaceted dynamics of the EU's involvement in Kenya's elections. This study contributes to both academic discourse and policy debates. It deepens our understanding of the various dimensions of EU contributions and provides insights into Kenyan viewpoints, enriching debates surrounding the influence of external actors on democratic consolidation. However, the empirical findings also underscore the complexity of external interventions. While some stakeholders acknowledge the positive impact of EU assistance, divergent opinions among political parties and law enforcement reveal the intricate interplay between external assistance and domestic dynamics. This mirrors the Democratic Peace Theory's assertion that external actors' interests can shape domestic politics, though internal dynamics define the outcome of the interventions. The insights generated have far-reaching implications for theory, policy, and future research. They enhance our understanding of the interplay between external assistance and domestic context, informing policies that promote electoral integrity. Furthermore, the study provides a foundation for future research, urging scholars to delve deeper into the multifaceted dynamics of external actors' contributions to democratic consolidation.