När etnicitet står i fokus - En fallstudie av Kenyas presidentval 2007

Abstract

This thesis discusses the 2007 elections in Kenya, and its aftermath. The aim is to examine whether or not ethnicity played a major role in the outbreak of violence that followed the referendum. As well as different theories and discussions on ethnicity, I will also try to explain the course of events by using theories of increased civil violence during a democratic transition, and the fact that weak political institutions can cause violence. My conclusion is that ethnicity has played a part in the violence, but is too simple to blame the events following the election on just that. A number of different factors all contributed to the outbreak, but all to a different extent. The election and its results was the direct event that triggered the violence, but other more underlying factors can also be a reason, such as frustration over continued corruption within the political institutions and political instability during a democratic transition.