Aid conditionality and transition to democracy in Kenya 1990-2000

Abstract

This study examines the impact of aid conditionality in Kenya from 1990-2000. It focuses on the role played by donors in aid conditionality with an objective of bringing about a transition from authoritarian rule to democratic rule in Kenya. The study has found that on its own, external pressure could not bring about the desired change and that internal pressure also contributed to the democratic process.

The study examines the political and economic climate before and after the repeal of section 2A of the constitution which ushered in multiparty politics. The authoritarian rule also coincides with the Cold War era where the donors gave generously without questioning the aid given in an effort to contain Communism. However, after the demise of Communism, the post Cold War era is characterized with justification as to why aid is given hence donors attached political conditionalities to their aid whereby democracy was heavily stressed in their aid policies in the 1990s.

The study agrees that some of the donor objectives have been met by the aid conditionalities. It also holds the contention that democracy is a complex process and therefore a decade from 1990-2000, donor objectives such as democratic institutions cannot be fully implemented. It takes time and the political will of the recipient for changes to take effect. Conditionality is here seen as necessary in

the initial stages of democratization but thereafter, it hampers progress by overburdening the recipient country.