A critical analysis of crisis decision making: the case of Kenya's post-election violence

Abstract

The research investigates crisis decision-making during the Kenyan post-election violence. The overall objective and hypotheses of the research are to examine the relationship between crisis decision making and the post election violence as well as the role that political will plays in the response to the crisis. The research looks into the historical overview of elections on Kenya and in particular the use of ethicized politics as well as illegal gangs in Kenya during election year. Chapter three looks critically into the post election violence from the 2ih of December 2007 to the 28th of February 2008 when the National Accord was signed. Of importance were the events immediately after the elections to the height of the violence to the intervention by Koffi Annan. These events enable one to understand the underlying dynamics of decision making in the absence of information that would directly link these events to the violence. The findings of this research highlight the use of illegal gangs in elections; the history of ethicized politics and the lack of political will to resolve crisis situations in Kenya. The researcher's recommendations are mainly in line with legal measures and policies to govern elections particularly to ensure that politics are fair and that political parties in Kenya are strengthened. Moreover, there should be stricter penalties for political elites who engage in ethicized politics and use illegal gangs for political mileage.