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IFES - Kenya

Kenya

Kenya functioned as de facto a one-party state from 1969-1982 when the ruling Kenya African national Union (KANU) assumed the role as official sole party. Opposition unsuccessfully pulled KANU from power in both the 1992 and 1997 elections. In 2002, Mwai Kibaki of the National Rainbow Coalition group ran an anti-corruption campaign and defeated the KANU party candidate to assume the presidency.

Past Projects

IFES in Kenya (1992-2000)

Between 1992 and 2000, IFES conducted four USAID-funded assessment missions in Kenya. The first mission consisted of a detailed review of the operations of the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) prior to the general elections of 1992, Kenya's first multiparty elections in 29 years. This assessment became the basis for donor assistance to the Electoral Commission in 1992.

Technical Assistance for Elections and Political Processes in Kenya

IFES' goal in Kenya was to create more transparent and competitive electoral processes and assist the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) to effectively administer elections. IFES helped the ECK develop a website, computerized and conducted trainings for several ECK departments, trained district staff, developed a work plan, a strategic assessment and a research facility, designed an information management plan and public relations strategy and managed donor assistance. Following the flawed 2007 elections and ensuing violence, IFES ended its support to the ECK and devoted its resources toward producing recommendations related to the flaws in the Kenyan electoral system and the critical need for reform of the legal framework and the Commission.

The Electoral Process in Kenya: A Review of Past Experiences and Recommendations for Reform

Through support from the Open Society Institute of East Africa (OSIEA), IFES conducted an evaluation of the Kenyan electoral process. IFES then compiled a report and made recommendations for credible, accountable and effective electoral reforms. The thorough evaluation of the Kenyan electoral process was presented to the Independent Review Committee (IREC) in August 2008 to provide recommendations alongside the findings of the IREC.  IFES drew upon lessons learned from the last several years of providing technical assistance to the Electoral Commission of Kenya in the compilation of the evaluation report.