Elections in Kenya
10 Grade 10 History and Citizenship questions on Elections in Kenya, with worked marking schemes. 10 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
1 markWhy is a voter in Kenya required to mark the ballot paper inside a screened booth?
A. So that each voter can choose freely without fear of being identified
B. To allow the presiding officer to confirm that the mark is clear
C. To make the counting of the votes faster at the close of polling
D. To ensure that members of the same household vote in the same way
(1 mark)
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1 markFour candidates contest a ward seat and receive 4,200 votes, 3,900 votes, 2,100 votes and 800 votes respectively. Who is declared the winner?
A. A candidate chosen by the county assembly from the two leading candidates
B. The candidate with 4,200 votes, because the seat goes to the candidate with the most votes
C. The two leading candidates, who must face each other in a second round of voting
D. No candidate wins, because none obtained more than half of the votes cast
(1 mark)
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2 marksDistinguish between a general election and a by-election in Kenya.
(2 marks)
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3 marksSuggest three ways in which a Grade 10 learner can help to promote peaceful elections in their community.
(3 marks)
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1 markAmina turns eighteen in March and wants to take part in the next general election. What must she do first?
A. Obtain a letter from the area chief permitting her to vote
B. Join a political party of her choice in her ward
C. Wait until polling day and present her birth certificate at the polling station
D. Present her national identity card and have her name entered in the voters' register
(1 mark)
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1 markWhich duty is carried out by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission rather than by the Registrar of Political Parties?
A. Registering a newly formed political party
B. Reviewing the boundaries of constituencies and wards
C. Keeping the register of members of each political party
D. Approving a request by a party to change its name
(1 mark)
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4 marksExplain four features of a free and fair election.
(4 marks)
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4 marksDescribe four stages in the Kenyan electoral process, from the registration of voters to the declaration of results.
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark each for any 4 stages correctly described, in a logical order: - Voter registration: the IEBC registers eligible citizens aged eighteen and above and later publishes the register for verification. - Nomination: political parties hold primaries to pick their candidates, while independent candidates collect the required supporters' signatures. - Clearance: the IEBC checks that each candidate meets the qualifications for the seat and prints the names on the ballot papers. - Campaigns: candidates present their manifestos to voters within a set period that closes before polling day. - Polling: on polling day voters are identified from the register, are issued with ballot papers and vote in secret. - Counting: votes are counted at the polling station in the presence of agents and observers, and the results forms are filled and signed. - Tallying and declaration: results are transmitted to the constituency or county tallying centre, verified, and the returning officer declares the winner. Max 4 marks.
Question 9
1 markA Member of a County Assembly resigns two years after being elected, leaving the ward without a representative. The seat is filled through
A. a fresh general election covering the whole county
B. nomination of a replacement by the county governor
C. a national referendum on the vacant seat
D. a by-election held in that ward alone
(1 mark)
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6 marksExplain three challenges that face the conduct of elections in Kenya and suggest one way in which each can be reduced.
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark for each challenge correctly explained and 1 mark for a matching remedy, for any 3 pairs: - Bribery of voters with money or goods, which makes people choose on the basis of a hand-out rather than a candidate's record. Remedy: sustained civic education plus firm enforcement of the law on election offences against both giver and receiver. - Spread of false information and hate speech, especially on social media, which misleads voters and raises tension. Remedy: media literacy and civic education, fact-checking by the media, and action against those who incite. - Election-related violence and intimidation, which keeps some voters away from the polls and displaces families. Remedy: early-warning and local peace committees, adequate security at polling stations, and prompt settlement of disputes in court. - Voter apathy, particularly among young voters who do not register or turn out. Remedy: continuous registration with centres closer to the people, including drives for those turning eighteen in colleges. - Disagreement over the accuracy of results. Remedy: transparent transmission with signed results forms available to agents, and determination of petitions within set timelines. - The high cost of organising elections. Remedy: better use of technology and harmonising the register with national identity records to cut duplication. Max 6 marks.
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