Kenya: The Struggle for Democracy (Africa in the New Millennium)

The path towards democracy in Kenya has been long and often tortuous. Though it has been trumpeted as a goal for decades, democratic government has never been fully realised, largely as a result of the authoritarian excesses of the Kenyatta, Moi and Kibaki regimes. This uniquely comprehensive study of Kenya's political trajectory shows how the struggle for democracy has been waged in civil society, through opposition parties, and amongst traditionally marginalised groups like women and the young. It also considers the remaining impediments to democratisation, in the form of a powerful police force and damaging structural adjustment policies. Thus, the authors argue, democratisation in Kenya is a laborious and non-linear process. Kenyans' recent electoral successes, the book concludes, have empowered them and reinvigorated the prospects for democracy, heralding a more autonomous and peaceful twenty-first century. The Path Towards Democracy In Kenya Has Been Long And Often Tortuous. Though It Has Been Trumpeted As A Goal For Decades, Democratic Government Has Never Been Fully Realised, Largely As A Result Of The Authoritarian Excesses Of The Kenyatta, Moi And Kibaki Regimes. This Uniquely Comprehensive Study Of Kenya's Political Trajectory Shows How The Struggle For Democracy Has Been Waged In Civil Society, Through Opposition Parties, And Amongst Traditionally Marginalised Groups Like Women And The Young. It Also Considers The Remaining Impediments To Democratisation, In The Form Of A Powerful Police Force And Damaging Structural Adjustment Policies. Thus, The Authors Argue, Democratisation In Kenya Is A Laborious And Non-linear Process.--back Cover. Part I. Introduction. 1. Prospects For Democracy In Kenya / Shadrack W. Nasong'o & Godwin R. Murunga ---- Part Ii. Civil Society And The Politics Of Opposition. 2. Negotiating New Rules Of The Game: Social Movements, Civil Society And The Kenyan Transition / Shadrack W. Nasong'o --- 3. Religious Groups And Democratisation In Kenya: Between The Sacred And The Profane / Margaret G. Gecaga --- 4. The Contemporary Opposition In Kenya: Between Internal Traits And State Manipulation / Adams G.r. Oloo ---- Part Iii. Major Constituencies In The Democratisation Process. 5. Leaders Of Tomorrow? The Youth And Democratisation In Kenya / Mshai S. Mwangola --- 6. Women In Kenya's Politics Of Transition And Democratisation / Shadrack W. Nasong'o & Theodora O. Ayot --- 7. Intellectuals And The Democratisation Process In Kenya / Maurice N. Amutabi --- 8. The Role Of The Police In Kenya's Democratisation Process / Edwin A. Gimode ---- Part Iv. Donors And The Politics Of Structural Adjustment. 9. Governance And The Politics Of Structural Adjustment In Kenya / Godwin R. Murunga --- 10. From Demiurge To Midwife: Changing Donor Roles In Kenya's Democratisation Process / Stephen Brown. Edited By Godwin R. Murunga And Shadrack Wanjala Nasong'o. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

The path towards democracy in Kenya has been long and often tortuous. Though it has been trumpeted as a goal for decades, democratic government has never been fully realised, largely as a result of the authoritarian excesses of the Kenyatta, Moi and Kibaki regimes.This uniquely comprehensive study of Kenya's political trajectory shows how the struggle for democracy has been waged in civil society, through opposition parties, and amongst traditionally marginalised groups like women and the young. It also considers the remaining impediments to democratisation, in the form of a powerful police force and damaging structural adjustment policies. Thus, the authors argue, democratisation in Kenya is a laborious and non-linear process.Kenyans' recent electoral successes, the book concludes, have empowered them and reinvigorated the prospects for democracy, heralding a more autonomous and peaceful twenty-first century.

This uniquely comprehensive study of Kenya's political trajectory shows how the struggle for democracy has been waged in civil society, through opposition parties, and amongst traditionally marginalised groups like women and the young. It also considers the remaining impediments to democratisation, in the form of a powerful police force and damaging structural adjustment policies. Thus, the authors argue, democratisation in Kenya is a laborious and non-linear process. Kenyans' recent electoral successes, the book concludes, have empowered them and reinvigorated the prospects for democracy, heralding a more autonomous and peaceful twenty-first century. -- Publisher's Description Shows how the struggle for democracy has been waged in civil society, through opposition parties, and amongst traditionally marginalised groups like women and the young. This book also considers the remaining impediments to democratisation, in the form of a powerful police force and damaging structural adjustment policies