The 1979 election was significant for establishing Moi's political legitimacy and for demonstrating that the transition from Kenyatta had occurred smoothly. The election provided a mandate for Moi's government and allowed him to consolidate his authority within the state and within KANU.
The competitive KANU primary system that had been used in the 1974 election continued in 1979. However, the extent of government control over primary outcomes appeared to increase in 1979 compared to 1974. This pattern would intensify in subsequent elections as Moi consolidated personal power.
The parliamentarians elected in 1979 would serve during a period of increasing authoritarianism. The parliament elected in 1979 would witness Moi's consolidation of power and the narrowing of political space in subsequent years.
The promise of more inclusive governance under Moi, represented by the Nyayo philosophy and the release of political prisoners, would not be fully realized. The apparent opening under Moi would gradually close as the president consolidated power and as he moved to suppress perceived threats to his rule.
The ethnic political dynamics that began to shift in 1979, with the rise of non-Kikuyu politicians and the decline of exclusive Kikuyu dominance, would continue to evolve. Moi's rise accelerated the emergence of Kalenjin and other non-Kikuyu politicians to positions of power.
The regional distribution of development resources, which had favored Central Province under Kenyatta, would be renegotiated under Moi. However, the reallocation of resources would serve Moi's political interests rather than creating equitable distribution across regions.
The 1979 election demonstrated that electoral transitions could occur in Kenya's political system. However, the parliament elected in 1979 would not constrain Moi's power, as Parliament remained subordinate to presidential authority.
The political patterns established in the 1979 election would shape subsequent elections in 1983 and 1988. The degree of government control over electoral outcomes, the factional alignments within KANU, and the ethnic political dynamics would all be relevant to later elections.
The international observer response to the 1979 election was generally favorable to Moi's government, viewing the apparent opening as positive compared to the authoritarianism of Kenyatta's final years. This international support would encourage Moi's government in its early years.
See Also
- 1979 Election
- Daniel arap Moi
- 1983 Election
- Kenya Political System 1978-1991
- Nyayo
- Kenya Authoritarianism
Sources
- Widner, Jennifer. The Rise of a Party-State in Kenya: From Harambee to Nyayo. University of California Press, 1992.
- Hornsby, Charles. Kenya: A History Since Independence. I.B. Tauris, 2012.
- Gitonga, Ezra. "Moi's Kenya: Social Engineering in a Kleptocratic State." In Rogue States and State Sponsors of Terrorism. Edited by Robert Rotberg, 2007.