Briefing Paper

Overcoming Ethnically Motivated Poll Violence in Kenya

Violence expressly motivated by ethnic hatred and ethnic conflict is increasingly defining general elections in Kenya. This policy brief, which focusses on the period between 2007 and 2017, highlights the main issues that promote poll violence in the country. These include voting along ethnic lines, and the use of gangs by some politicians. Ethnic balancing that will give institutions a Kenyan face, addressing social media abuse, nurturing patriotism, and increased efforts to address gangs are some of the steps that the country can take to help overcome ethnically motivated poll violence in the future.