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A master's thesis from Aalborg University

Ethnicity in Kenya

Author

Term

4. term

Publication year

2014

Submitted on

Pages

59

Abstract

Kenya’s 2013 general elections were calmer than in 2007/2008, yet ethnic polarization persisted, partly shifting into hate speech on social media. Against this backdrop, the thesis examines how historical land injustices—identified by past commissions and national dialogues as drivers of violence—intersect with ethnicity and politics, and to what extent ongoing land reforms can reduce ethnic conflict. Its aims are to clarify the concept of ethnicity in Kenya, trace the interrelationships among ethnicity, land, and political competition, and assess the design and promise of proposed land reforms. Guided by three research questions, the analysis draws on Primordial and Elite Manipulation theories to interpret conflict patterns and to highlight aspects these theories may overlook in the Kenyan context. The study situates the inquiry within broader concerns about peace, development, and regional stability. Specific empirical findings or conclusions are not presented in the available excerpt.

Kenias valg i 2013 var roligere end i 2007/2008, men etnisk polarisering bestod og flyttede delvist over i hadefuld tale på sociale medier. På denne baggrund undersøger specialet, hvordan historiske jorduretfærdigheder—som tidligere kommissioner og nationale dialogprocesser har udpeget som drivkræfter for vold—hænger sammen med etnicitet og politik, og i hvilket omfang igangværende jordreformer kan reducere etnisk konflikt. Formålet er at afklare etnicitetsbegrebet i Kenya, kortlægge samspillet mellem etnicitet, jord og politisk konkurrence samt vurdere de foreslåede reformers udformning og potentiale. Analysen er styret af tre forskningsspørgsmål om disse sammenhænge og anvender primordialisme- og elitemanipulationsteori til at fortolke konfliktmønstre og pege på aspekter, teorierne kan overse i den kenyanske kontekst. Arbejdet forankrer undersøgelsen i bredere hensyn til fred, udvikling og regional stabilitet. Konkrete empiriske resultater eller konklusioner fremgår ikke af det tilgængelige uddrag.

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