Civil society advocacy in political participation in Kenya between 2007 and 2013: a case study of friedrich-ebert-stiftung

Abstract

Political participation is the embodiment of democracy; it not only legitimizes the state and the policies emanating from it, but also reinforces accountability, participatory government, links individuals to the governing process and acts as a conduit for articulation of interests, voicing citizen concerns and giving feedback on various subjects. Facilitation of political participation is considered the preserve of the state mainly through the provision of an enabling environment, however the state has realized very little. This has necessitated civil society, a non-state actor to address this government deficiency through advocacy to create awareness, raise political interest and facilitation of dialogue among the citizens, all which are vital elements of political participation. This is cognizant to the need for greater inclusion of various stakeholders including institutions and individuals to participate in governance. The purpose of this study is to establish the role of civil society in political participation through linking Kenyans to the governance structure and civil society contribution to political discourse, focusing on the years between 2007 and 2013. It further examines the dynamics that influence political participation, the trends of political participation in that period and tries to establish the point of disconnect that translates to dismal political participation among Kenyans despite government efforts and how civil society is addressing this gap. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), a German, non-profit foundation will be the case study civil society in this research, where its various programmes, activities and partnerships will be used to highlight civil society advocacy in political participation. The study will also analyse other civil society organizations to have a holistic understanding of political participation.