Joshua Magero Otieno on ethnicity, politics and wellbeing in Kenya

Joshua Magero Otieno will present at the WIDER Seminar Series on 20 November. 

Abstract – Ethnicity, politics and wellbeing in Kenya

Perceived or real welfare imbalances fundamentally impacts individuals’ civic participation, inclusivity, national identity, tolerance, and other aspects related to social cohesion. On a broader spectrum, large horizontal inequalities may have adverse effects on socio-political and economic stability. This is especially in cases where these imbalances are aligned with ethnic and political affiliations.

This study explores the ethno-spatial trends in differential in wellbeing in Kenya between ethnic groups and regions perceived to be politically dominant and their weaker counterparts over the period 1999-2014, using the 1999 and 2009 Kenya Population and Housing Censuses, and the 2008 and 2014 Demographic Health Surveys.

While the general perception of potential political favoritism anecdotally abounds, there is scarcity of studies documenting such evidences. Kenya provides an ideal case for this inquiry, given the non-random ethnography of her population which arguably has shaped the political constructs over the years.

About the speaker

Joshua Magero Otieno is a PhD fellow at UNU-WIDER, pursuing his PhD at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. 

WIDER Seminar Series

The WIDER Seminar Series showcases recent and ongoing work on key topics in development economics. The weekly sessions held in Helsinki are open to local and visiting researchers, policy makers, and others interested in development topics. Click here to learn more.

Seminars will be live streamed on Facebook and recordings and presentations will be available after the event here.

For more information email tomi@wider.unu.edu

Register here