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For richer, for poorer: why ethnicity often trumps economic cleavages in Kenya

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  • Biniam E. Bedasso

Abstract

This article aims to examine why ethnic allegiances have persisted as the most dominant platform used by the elites to organise collective action in Kenya. The author formulates a broad theoretical framework centred around the organisational role of ethnicity in negotiating social orders. Empirically, it is shown that ethnic allegiances in Kenya are deeply rooted in group inequalities and feelings of historical injustice. Moreover, the historical structure of the economy has skewed the distribution of economic rents toward group-specific activities and resources. Therefore, the early institutions of the country were designed in such a way that the stability of political order would depend on the elites’ ability to use ethnicity as a bargaining chip. Ethnicity continues to be politically salient partly because economic rents are not individualised enough to sustainably support trans-ethnic forms of organisation.

Suggested Citation

  • Biniam E. Bedasso, 2017. "For richer, for poorer: why ethnicity often trumps economic cleavages in Kenya," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(151), pages 10-29, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:revape:v:44:y:2017:i:151:p:10-29
    DOI: 10.1080/03056244.2016.1169164
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    Cited by:

    1. Muez Ali & Laura Mann, 2023. "Misaligned Social Policy? Explaining the Origins and Limitations of Cash Transfers in Sudan," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 54(4), pages 841-869, July.
    2. Amy Quandt, 2019. "Variability in perceptions of household livelihood resilience and drought at the intersection of gender and ethnicity," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 152(1), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Eric Kramon & Sarah Baird & Joan Hamory & Edward Miguel, 2021. "Deepening or Diminishing Ethnic Divides? The Impact of Urban Migration in Kenya," Working Papers 2021-08, The George Washington University, Institute for International Economic Policy.
    4. Adrian Mallory & Anna Mdee & Dorice Agol & Leonie Hyde‐Smith & Domenic Kiogora & Joy Riungu & Alison Parker, 2022. "The potential for scaling up container‐based sanitation in informal settlements in Kenya," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(7), pages 1347-1361, October.

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