Patron-Client relation as a determinant of electoral participation in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

Electoral participation in liberal democracies is an uninfringeable right guaranteed by the state Constitution and international law. Studies globally indicate that electoral participation is however influenced by party systems, political culture, and institutional and electoral management. While most studies in Kenya and especially Uasin Gishu County have focused on inter-ethnic and political conflicts, the core bulwark of these political dynamics has not adequately been inquired into. This study assessed patron-client relation as a determinant of electoral participation in Uasin Gishu County-Kenya. The objectives of the study included to; assess the clientelistic practices that influence electoral participation, assess the roles of primordial and purposive corporate social bonds in electoral participation, examine political dyadic networks influencing electoral participation, and to assess the implication of patron-client relation on democratic governance. The Theory of Reasoned Action and the Social Exchange theory guided the study and was based on pragmatist research philosophy. A mixed method research design was adopted and targeted 450,055 registered voters in the County. A sample size of 384 respondents selected through a simple random sampling technique participated in the study. Primary data was collected using questionnaires, Key Informant interview schedules and focused group discussion and corroborated with existing secondary data. Data analysis was done using convergent parallel mixed method for the purpose of presentation. The study established that the prevalent clientelistic practices influencing electoral participation included monetary incentives (73%), pork barreling (66%), provision of branded apparels (68%) and patronage appointments (52%). Purposive corporate social bonds attributed to voters’ attachment to community association, the media, and political party as well as primordial social ties based on ethnicity, family history, gender, and social class shaped voters’ choice of candidates during elections. The study also revealed entrenched political dyadic networks with actors such as ethnic political patrons, business associations, community groups, religious groups and individual voter, and with each dyad being established and sustained by use of clientelistic goods and services. Research findings also revealed that patron-client relation had affected attributes of democratic governance such as public participation (62%), transparency and accountability (60%), equity (59%), and responsiveness and efficiency in public service delivery (51%). The study concluded that patron-client relation is ingrained in County elective politics and involves mutual trade-offs between political candidates and voters. It affects voters’ free will vote and weakens vertical accountability and thus pervasive to electoral democracy and democratic governance. To address clientelism, this study recommends amendment of Electoral Offence Act and the Election Campaign Financing Act to compel political candidates and parties to declare the sources and the amount of funds for use in campaigns while putting a cap on spending. Lastly, national and the county governments should establish pragmatic community empowerment programmes and projects to bolster citizens’ socio-economic status and thus reduce reliance on clientelism. A National level analysis of patron-client relation and how it impact on efficiency of national government institutions is recommended for further research.