The Contribution of Election Observer Missions to the Realization of Democratic Elections in Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to examine the contribution of election observer missions to the realization of democratic elections in Kenya. The study adopted the signalling theory, and using qualitative approaches, applied the longitudinal research design to examine the contribution of election observer missions to the realization of democratic elections in Kenya. The study used both primary and secondary data, with the secondary data complimented by primary data collected from 15 purposively sampled respondents. The study established that election observer missions contribute to the realization of democratic elections in Kenya. Specifically, the study established that election observer missions improve the transparency of preisndential elections in Kenya through facilitating a comprehensive scrutiny of the electoral process and consequently, exposing the detected electoral flaws, irregularities and fraud; boost public confidence in presidential elections in Kenya through reassuring the public, voters and other electoral stakeholders of an oversight of the electoral process and a consequent deterrence of electoral fraud, thereby increasing their faith in the electoral process; confer legitimacy to presidential elections in Kenya through the significance of their presence, and the election observer statements and reports, informing the Kenyan society and or the international community on whether a presidential election met the standards expected of a democratic election, consequently, informing domestic and international recognition. Policy recommendations focused on the need for election observer missions to deploy at least 6 months to elections, to provide sufficient time to gain a comprehensive level of understanding of the country, prevailing electoral landscape, and electoral process.