Ethnic Dilemma: The Politics of Inequality and Governance in Kenya

This project explores how ethnicity shapes governance and inequality in Kenya. The project examines how ethnicity both shapes political power and influences the distribution of public resources. In Kenya, political elites frequently mobilize ethnic identities to secure political dominance, leading to unequal development and entrenching social inequalities. Smaller groups are often marginalized, creating a basis for inequality that aBects governance eBectiveness. A new constitution was passed in 2010 to address these challenges and to promote equitable national and local development through devolution. However, despite the 2010 Constitution, ethnicity has continued to undermine governance eBectiveness.
Adopting a multi-method approach, this study analyses quantitative data from national and county budget reports and qualitative data from interviews with governance experts to understand how ethnic mobilization impacts development outcomes. Overall, the project seeks to address the “ethnic dilemma”: the struggle to achieve governance in a multi-ethnic setting where “political tribalism” obstructs democratic governance and inclusive development. Findings aim to inform policy debates on mitigating ethnic inequalities and fostering more cohesive governance in Kenya.