The role of Atharaka cultural ties in political mobilization during the general elections in Tharaka constituency, kenya (1961-2007)

Abstract

Different societies in Africa have been using various cultural ties as a strategy for political mobilizations during general elections. In this regard, the study focused on examining the role of Atharaka music, clanism and age-set systems in political mobilization from 1961 to 2007. The study was guided by the following objectives: to examine the role of music in political mobilization in the Tharaka constituency from 1961 to 2007; to analyze the role of clanism in political mobilization among the Atharaka during general elections and to investigate how age-set system was used in political mobilization in Tharaka during general elections from 1961 to 2007. The study was steered by the assumption that culture plays a significant role in political mobilization. The literature was reviewed in this study to identify the gaps. The study was guided by structural functionalism theory. A descriptive study design was used. The research was carried out in the Tharaka constituency which has two sub-counties, Tharaka North and Tharaka South. Respondents were purposively sampled using snowballing techniques because it assisted the researcher in identifying respondents who have been deeply involved in Tharaka culture and politics. Tharaka constituency is among the three constituencies in Tharaka Nithi County which includes Maara, and Chuka Igambang’ombe. Tharaka constituency has a population of 133,595. The sampled wards are Chiakariga and Nkondi where Chiakariga ward has 18,564 voters and Nkondi has 9,543 thus categorizing them as a minor group in Tharaka voters. For the minor group, a sample size of 20- 50 respondents was used since the research relied on data saturation. The study sampled 40 respondents on the basis of data saturation. The researcher used both primary and secondary data. The data was analyzed thematically using historical narrations by corroborating both primary and secondary sources. The study found that music is used by Atharaka to mobilize people politically during general elections. Also, the research found that clanism and age-set systems are used to mobilize Atharaka voters during electioneering periods. On the contrary, the study found that in some instances, the use of music, clanism and age-set systems contributed to political demobilizations of certain political candidates. The findings were in line with structural functionalism theory. The study concluded that the overuse or overreliance on the culture can make people elect the wrong people for political leadership. In that regard, people should be cautious to avoid the overuse of cultural ties as a determinant of electing political leadership. Secondly, the study recommends that to encourage good governance and accountability, the government should encourage people to think beyond their culture when electing people for political leadership. To achieve Sustainable Development Goal 16 which encourages peace, justice and strong governance institutions, the overuse of the culture without a strong basis should be avoided. The research contributes to the political history of Kenya and cultural history of Atharaka. The study is also expected to contribute to policy-making, especially on ways to curb cultural ties that may instigate conflicts and ethnicity in Kenya.