Voter information in Kenya's 2013 election

To what extent did the media influence Kenyans in the 2013 elections? Do new technologies help political parties to reach voters? This policy brief gives answers and recommendations.

The Comparative National Elections Project (CNEP) post-election survey was held in Kenya following the 2013 general election. Its primary objective was to generate data that could provide insights into the views and attitudes of Kenyan voters about their political institutions and the 2013 general election in particular. This policy brief forms one of a series and focuses on the information that was available to voters regarding the general election. Its purpose is to make recommendations that can assist electoral administrators, political parties, media, civil society organisations and the citizens of Kenya in improving the integrity of electoral processes and election outcomes, and the public’s confidence in them.

About the authors

Collette Schulz-Herzenberg specialises in voter behaviour and elections in sub-Saharan Africa. Collette holds a PhD in politics, a master’s degree in democratic governance and an honours degree in politics. She is currently a research associate at the University of Stellenbosch.

Peter Aling’o is a democracy and elections specialist. He is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya with an LLB and a master’s degree in international law. He is currently a senior researcher as well as head of the ISS’s regional office in Kenya. He has practised law in Kenya since 1993.

Sebastian Gatimu is a governance and human rights specialist. He is currently undertaking a PhD in development studies at the University of Nairobi and is a researcher in the Governance, Crime and Justice division at ISS Nairobi. He has a master’s degree in development studies and a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration.