The 1983 election functioned as a deliberate purge of KANU of politicians suspected of disloyalty or of involvement in or sympathy with the 1982 coup attempt. Moi used the election machinery to remove sitting MPs and to prevent suspected dissidents from entering Parliament.
The government exercised explicit control over KANU primary contests in 1983, more visibly than in previous elections. In many constituencies, government officials actively supported particular candidates and worked to ensure their victory. Candidates who were seen as insufficiently loyal to Moi faced difficulties in winning primary contests, even if they had strong constituency support.
Sitting MPs who were suspected of coup involvement or whose loyalty was questioned faced systematic removal through the primary process. These MPs were either forced to compete against government-backed challengers or were prevented from running at all. The result was that numerous sitting MPs lost their seats in the 1983 primary contests.
The purge extended beyond those directly suspected of coup involvement. Politicians who had been associated with previous factions, who had been aligned with Njonjo, or who represented potential rival bases of power were also targeted. The election was used to centralize power around Moi and to eliminate alternative power centers.
Regional purges reflected Moi's political calculations. In regions where Moi's factional supporters were strong, incumbents aligned with other factions could be purged. In regions where alternative political bases were strong, some accommodation had to be made.
Kalenjin politicians aligned with Moi were favored in the primary process and were helped to win elections. Their success in the 1983 election reflected Moi's political patronage and his desire to strengthen Kalenjin representation in Parliament.
The purge of sitting MPs meant that a high proportion of the 1983 parliament was newly elected. Many politicians who had been elected in 1979 did not return to Parliament in 1983. This turnover meant that the 1983 parliament contained a new generation of politicians more explicitly aligned with Moi's consolidated power.
See Also
- 1983 Election
- Daniel arap Moi
- KANU Party
- 1983 Election Moi Consolidation
- Kenya Authoritarianism
- Kenya Political System 1978-1991
Sources
- Widner, Jennifer. The Rise of a Party-State in Kenya. 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.