Trickle-Down Ethnic Politics: Drunk and Absent in the Kenya Police Force (1957-1970)

Eynde, Oliver Vanden; Kuhn, Patrick M.; Moradi, Alexander

Abstract

How does ethnic politics affect the state’s ability to provide policing services? Using a panel of administrative personnel data on the full careers of 6,784 police officers, we show how the rise of ethnic politics around Kenya’s independence influenced policemen’s behavior. We find a significant deterioration in discipline after Kenya’s first multiparty election for those police officers of ethnic groups associated with the ruling party. These effects are driven by a behavioral change among these policemen. We find no evidence of favoritism within the police. Instead, our results are consistent with co-ethnic officers experiencing an emboldenment effect. Our findings highlight that the state’s security apparatus, at its most granular level, is not insulated from ethnic politics.

Citation

Eynde, O. V., Kuhn, P. M., & Moradi, A. (2018). Trickle-Down Ethnic Politics: Drunk and Absent in the Kenya Police Force (1957-1970). American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 10(3), 388-417. https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20160384

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 13, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Aug 31, 2018
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Deposit Date: Nov 28, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 31, 2018
• Journal: American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
• Print ISSN: 1945-7731
• Electronic ISSN: 1945-774X
• Publisher: American Economic Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 388-417
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20160384
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1343211