Abstract
Since the first multiparty elections in Kenya in 1992, the country saw the formation of 13 coalitions. The overall objective of the study was to interrogate the politics of coalition formation in Kenya in the period 1992-2017. In this study, the politics of coalition formation refers to all the aspects which have a bearing on coalition formation, namely: the motivation for coalition formation; the sustainability of coalitions; ethnicity as a factor in coalition formation and the manner in which the electoral system and legal frameworks have been conducive to coalition formation in Kenya. The study also aimed to establish the contribution of coalition governments in Kenya to national cohesion, good governance and democratic development. The study has found that coalitions in Kenya were not driven by ideological considerations, but that office-seeking was a central motive for coalition formation. In Kenya the state remains a source of power and wealth accumulation. As a result, political elites formed coalitions in order to gain power or be part of the governing coalition and enjoy the benefits that come with it. Smaller coalitions (the Eagle, the Amani, the Tunza and the People coalitions), which have been formed before elections, were formed for benefits other than winning an election. In most cases, these coalitions strived to win enough votes to increase their political chances to play an important role in negotiations in a possible runoff in the presidential election. These coalitions were generally co-opted into the ruling government after elections. The study also assessed the influence of ethnicity, economic/business interests and legislation on coalition formation. Given the fact that there is no single large ethnic group that can win and rule on its own, ethnic leaders crafted coalitions as a means of winning power through competitive elections. Business leaders have also been influential in the formation of coalitions in order to gain lucrative government business deals and tenders. The enactment of a new constitution in 2010 and the Political Party Act (amended in 2012) have further facilitated coalition formation...
D.Litt. et Phil. (Politics)