The Impact of Coalition Government on Political, Economic and Social Development of Postconflict Societies:case of Kenya,2008-2012

Abstract

The search for a solution to the post-election violence which followed the disputed presidential elections of 2007 in Kenya led to the signing of the =Agreement on the Principles of Partnership of the Coalition Government‘. This, in turn, led to the enactment of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008 as the roadmap for ending the political crisis. Under this peace agreement a Coalition Government comprising a ―peace cabinet‖ of 40 ministers and 50 assistant ministers was formed. It ushered in, for the first time, the executive power sharing at elite level. This research analyses the impacts of this Coalition Government on the socio-political and socio-economic development with a view to establishing its contribution to sustainable peace and democracy to post-conflict societies. Specifically, the study set out to establish the relationship between the Coalition Government and political stability, economic and social development, determine its effectiveness in governance and visualize what it can contribute to subsequent peaceful elections. The research finds that Coalition Government restored and guaranteed political stability as the cornerstone of economic and social development. It restored democratic governance and achieved both the short-term and long-term measures, first by stopping the violence, settling the internally displaced persons and secondly by addressing the long standing reform agendas set out in the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation. Besides, the research also finds that the positive effects have not been felt due to the challenges impeding the operations of the Coalition Government. This includes justice issues, economic inequalities and the tendency towards dictatorship of the majority that has enhanced the regional ethnic based cleavages.