Dire consequences or empty threats? Western pressure for peace, justice and democracy in Kenya

Dire consequences or empty threats? Western pressure for peace, justice and democracy in Kenya

Author: 
Brown, Stephen
Publisher: 
Taylor & Francis
Date published: 
2014
Record type: 
Responsibility: 
Raddatz, Rosalind, jt. author
Journal Title: 
Journal of Eastern African Studies
Source: 
Journal of Eastern African Studies, Vol. 8, No. 1, February 2013, pp. 43-62
Abstract: 

This paper examines Western countries' pressure – or lack thereof – for peace, justice and democracy in Kenya. It analyzes the period since the 2008 National Accord, which defused the 2007–08 post-election crisis, focusing on the lead-up to and immediate aftermath of the 2013 elections. The paper draws extensively on interviews conducted in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013 with Western officials based in Nairobi, as well as informed Kenyans. It argues, first, that recent Western pressure is the latest iteration of a consistent pattern of donors not enforcing stated conditions for future support, causing diminishing returns. Second, donors not only have been reluctant to use potential leverage over the Kenyan government, but also have consistently underestimated it and erred by publicly threatening to use it only at the least strategic moment and not when it could have been most effective. Third, Western officials have continued to make short-term decisions favoring stability or peace that actually undermine basic principles of democracy and justice.

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Country focus: 

CITATION: Brown, Stephen. Dire consequences or empty threats? Western pressure for peace, justice and democracy in Kenya . : Taylor & Francis , 2014. Journal of Eastern African Studies, Vol. 8, No. 1, February 2013, pp. 43-62 - Available at: https://library.au.int/dire-consequences-or-empty-threats-western-pressure-peace-justice-and-democracy-kenya-3