Origins, nature and the development of ethnic identity in Kenya since 1963

Abstract

This article set out to explore the origin, nature, and formation of ethnic identity in Kenya since the year 1963, when the country gained its independence. Ethnic identity has also been among the most persistent aspects of the political and social landscape in Kenya and has been a frequent factor in the distribution of resources, political contestation, and nation-building. Basing itself on pre-colonial kinship systems established during the colonial reign and exploited by the post-colonial elites, ethnicity has transformed itself into a form of belonging as well as a tool of exclusion. The proposed study uses a qualitative and historical methodology, with references to the academic literature, policy documents, and political history, to examine the development of ethnic identity in five different political regimes: Jomo Kenyatta (1963-1978), Daniel arap Moi (1978-2002), Mwai Kibaki (2002-2013), Uhuru Kenyatta (2013-2022), and William Ruto (2022-present). Results indicate that ethnicity has been used by peoples to offer cultural strength and identity, although it has been extensively politicized to consolidate power, allocate resources, and attract and maintain support at the cost of national unity. This article is significant because it contributes to the discussion on ethnicity, democracy, and development in Africa, and this information can help the policymakers and scholars that have an interest in identity politics and state-building. The paper concludes that ethnicity has been both a blessing and a curse to the socio-political development of Kenya—both as a unity element and a source of division. The paper recommends inclusive governance systems, civic education, and grassroots reconciliation programs as some of the most suitable measures in alleviating ethnic polarization and enhancing sustainable national cohesion in Kenya.