Graft is slowly killing negotiated democracy in Northern Kenya

The advent of multi-party politics ushered in hope for many people.

The single party rule paved way for participatory democracy where elders at the local level were empowered to have a say on who should represent them. During the single party rule, leadership was prescribed from the top, particularly in Nairobi where the president gave directions on who should be elected. The concept of negotiated democracy became more pronounced after 2013 when the devolved system of government started taking root.

The devolution of power and resources for many counties, but particularly those in the Northern part of Kenya, was seen as the second liberation. For the first time since independence, pastoralist communities were given the option of deciding on leaders who shall help them dispense funds from the shareable revenue for local development needs. Given the clan and ethnic diversity, it became necessary for communities of Northern Kenya to organise themselves to share power alongside clan segments. Even minority groups were considered for elective positions.

For communities such as the Borana and Somali, another factor played a role in the way people organised their politics. From an anthropological point of view, these communities are considered egalitarian. This means that being patriarchal, male elders have an equal say in the decision-making process for the choices the communities make. Not only for choosing leaders, but even for choices to be made on where a household should go and graze livestock or even on marriage issues. The decision to marry off a girl is not just the choice of her parents, but the extended family's as well.

Back to negotiated democracy, despite the successes registered in the last few years, it appears the institutions of elders are failing at least in some counties. In Mandera for example, during the 2013 elections, the elder’s decisions were final. All those chosen by the elders were chosen by a landslide during the general elections. In 2017, a number of those rejected by the elders were re-elected even though generally the elders had their say. Come 2022, the trend seems to suggest the decisions of the elders are no longer the only factor in choices people have to make.

Similar trends can be observed in several other counties such as Wajir and even Garissa where individuals are presenting themselves for the election of governor, senator or MP despite being rejected by the elders. This, therefore, seems to suggest that the traditional institutions are now under pressure to succumb to the forces of democracy. In the long run, negotiated democracy will be a thing of the past as the demographic dynamics continues to evolve and more and more young people seek elective posts.

The biggest setback on this important institution was caused by, guess what? corruption. Some elders have also tasted the Kenyan ‘medicine’ during the nominations processes, the highest bidder almost always becomes selected to contest for the community. This is a typical Kenyan thing, isn’t it? Therefore Michela Wrong is right; everyone in Kenya is corrupt. Now even our elders seem to have joined this bandwagon. Shame!

Mr Guleid is CEO, Frontier Counties Development Council.