| dc.description.abstract | In both the global North and South, electoral integrity serves as the bedrock of democratic
societies, and is an idea used to mean ensuring the legitimacy of election outcomes and fostering
peaceful transitions of power. Nonetheless, challenges in this realm persist, particularly in
developing nations such as Kenya. The European Union (EU) has emerged as a significant
player, providing electoral assistance in an attempt to address these challenges. This study
analyzed the EU's contribution in enhancing Kenya's general elections integrity using three
analytical objectives which are the main avenues through which EU supports Kenya‘s electoral
democracy; civic education, technical and capacity building, and finally to examine key
electoral stakeholder perceptions on EU‘s support. Informed by the Democratic Peace Theory,
the study employed a mixed-methods approach to provide a comprehensive understanding of the
EU's impact. Quantitative analysis involved a diverse sample of 384 individuals across nine
strata, encompassing media, ORPP, JLAC, judiciary, political parties, IEBC, law enforcement,
CSOs, and local observers. Qualitatively, 31 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) provided in-depth
insights while quantitative data were collected using semi-structured survey questionnaire. To
ensure the rigor of findings, multiple data sources were employed and tools underwent pre-
testing. Each objective was pursued through both quantitative and qualitative means.
Questionnaire data were subjected to simple descriptive statistics, while KII data were analyzed
thematically. Study found that EU's role in civic education, revealed that 68% of respondents
considered EU interventions highly effective in promoting voter education. KII data corroborated
this, with CSOs highlighting the EU's crucial contribution to enhancing civic and political
consciousness; it also indicated that 53% of respondents perceived EU‘s capacity building and
technical support as highly necessary with CSOs and the IEBC echoing this sentiment,
emphasizing the positive impact of EU capacity-building and technical support initiatives.
However, only 33% of the respondents supported the views that EU‘s interventions can lead to
free, fair and credible elections through technical and capacity building; in-depth interviews
further revealed that EU‘s electoral assistance is not enough but what matters in the extent of
―political hygiene‖ within Kenya‘s body politick. Lastly, stakeholders' perceptions of EU
contributions. While 66% of respondents believed that EU interventions significantly improved
electoral integrity, KII insights provided a nuanced picture. CSOs and the IEBC displayed
confidence in the EU's role, while political parties, ORPP, and law enforcement expressed
skepticism. The findings shed light on the multifaceted dynamics of the EU's involvement in
Kenya's elections. This study contributes to both academic discourse and policy debates. It
deepens our understanding of the various dimensions of EU contributions and provides insights
into Kenyan viewpoints, enriching debates surrounding the influence of external actors on
democratic consolidation. However, the empirical findings also underscore the complexity of
external interventions. While some stakeholders acknowledge the positive impact of EU
assistance, divergent opinions among political parties and law enforcement reveal the intricate
interplay between external assistance and domestic dynamics. This mirrors the Democratic Peace
Theory's assertion that external actors' interests can shape domestic politics, though internal
dynamics define the outcome of the interventions. The insights generated have far-reaching
implications for theory, policy, and future research. They enhance our understanding of the
interplay between external assistance and domestic context, informing policies that promote
electoral integrity. Furthermore, the study provides a foundation for future research, urging
scholars to delve deeper into the multifaceted dynamics of external actors' contributions to
democratic consolidation. | en_US |
