Go to AfricaBib home

Go to AfricaBib home Africana Periodical Literature Go to database home

bibliographic database
Line
Previous page New search

The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here

Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The dialectics of language inclusion and exclusion: an analysis of the language factor in the Kenyan constitutional review process
Author:Mwaniki, MuneneISNI
Year:2009
Periodical:Language Matters: Studies in the Languages of Africa
Volume:40
Issue:2
Pages:145-165
Language:English
Geographic term:Kenya
Subjects:constitutional reform
bill drafting
popular participation
indigenous languages
referendums
2005
Abstract:In certain contexts, policy and programme interventions aimed at linguistic inclusion could lead to linguistic and other forms of exclusion. As a case in point, the article reports and reflects on the constitutional review process in Kenya and the dialectics of language in this process: the Kenyan constitutional review process was anchored on linguistic inclusion, by allowing the population to participate and offer views in local languages. This process produced a radical draft constitution, the Bomas Draft, hinging on the decentralization of State power, accountability and participation in governance - ideals at variance with those of the ruling elite. As a counter, the ruling elite pushed their version of a draft constitution, the Wako Draft, watering down the decentralization of State power, accountability and participation in governance. As expected, this version was defeated in a plebiscite in 2005. The article postulates that there are dialectic relationships between linguistic exclusion and/or inclusion and the exclusiveness and/or inclusiveness of macro-structures of governance in society. Bibliogr., notes, sum. [Journal abstract]
Views
Cover