Not Set in Stone: An Assessment of the Impacts of Ethnicity on Statehood and Social Cohesion in Kenya, 1963-2022

Abstract

This paper revisits challenges facing Kenya as a multi-ethnic society. While ethnicity have been important thematic and policy issues for scholars and policy makers in the recent decades, very few studies have focused on the efforts dimension, statehood and social cohesion in Kenya. Given the importance of statehood and social cohesion, this study will try to question the legacies of successive regimes which were largely responsible for the lack of social cohesion by examining the regime’s reinforcing narratives which are illustrative of the success of propaganda and disinformation machinery meant to obfuscate subjugation of the masses and justify crushing of dissent. The author argues that the challenge of identity in Kenya has been exacerbated by failure in nation-building and the creation of a national identity. To demonstrate the challenges facing Kenya’s statehood and social cohesion, the paper examines efforts by previous successive governments toward nation-building. It examines academic publications, government strategy documents, media reports, and archival sources. The paper finds that despite efforts by the Kenya’s four consecutive regimes to promote national unity, a vicious cycle of ethnic cleavages has undermined these efforts and instead created new points of ethnic animosities. The paper concludes with some policy recommendations.