Determinants of Voter Disenfranchisement in Kenya

Abstract

General elections in Kenya are held after every five years, though, by-elections can conducted before the end of the electoral term. In both elections a section of the electorate encounter some impediments that hinder them voting, culminating in voter disenfranchisement. They are hence denied their constitutional right. This study sought to address the problem of voter disenfranchisement in Kenya, based on the following objectives: analyse voter participation in selected types of elections in Kenya; examine factors leading to voter disenfranchisement in Kenya and propose a mechanism to address voter disenfranchisement. Being a conceptual research, the study employed analytical research in terms of conceptual analysis of elections and by-elections in Kenya. It utilized secondary data from documented sources by the media, Election Observation Mission Reports, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) election evaluation report and the statistical data from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK). It established insecurity, unfavourable weather conditions and the distant location of polling centres as major impediments to the electorate’s participation in elections. The study recommends that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of Kenya adopts the hybrid system of voting by incorporating e-voting in the electoral processes so as to enable all eligible voters to exercise their civic and democratic rights by voting.