Abstract

Interethnic violence has significantly impacted the social and political dynamics among communities residing in the cosmopolitan counties of Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu, during the recurring electioneering period every five years. The study's main purpose was to examine the impediments of electoral management in the 2007 General Election on interethnic relations in Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia Counties. The theory of conflict guided the study. The sample size was 363 participants: election victims, former ECK officials, political aspirants, local observers, elections agents, county commissioners, chiefs, security enforcers, village elders, NGOs, and camp administrators. A purposive sampling technique selected the sample size that provided study information. A descriptive survey research design and mixed method approach was used. The data was collected using interviews, questionnaires, and Focus Group Discussions. Quantitative data from closed-ended questions were tabulated using descriptive statistics. Thematic analysis was used to process data collected through interviews, focus group discussions, and open-ended questions for interpretation. The findings of the study showed the impediments included suspicion among residents, tribalism (13.1%), failure of EMB officials to manage results (13.0%), inadequate polling stations (4.3%), lack of trust in police enforcers (4.3%), late opening of polling stations (4.3%), poor coordination (4.3%), harassment, lack of trust by polling officials (8.8%) and late announcement of results (13.0%). The study recommended that to prevent and manage the causes and consequences of violence, a policy for electoral violence management, especially monitoring and voter-centered strategies, needs to be carried out on a long-term basis and continuity between general elections.

Key words: Impediments, electoral management, interethnic relations.