Africana Periodical Literature 
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| Title: | The dialectics of language inclusion and exclusion: an analysis of the language factor in the Kenyan constitutional review process |
| Author: | Mwaniki, Munene |
| 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] |
