Symbolic politics in Kenya: An analysis of the major political parties’ symbols since independence and their contribution to the general elections

Abstract

This study aimed to analyse political parties' symbols in Kenya and assess their contribution to the general elections. Political symbolism has always been used to represent a political standpoint or party. The symbolism may occur in various media, including banners, flags and pictures. Political parties usually associate themselves officially or unofficially with symbols. The study relied on descriptive research design and was premised on Ferdinand de Saussure Semiotics theory. The theory helped to understand how meaning is created and communicated. Purposive sampling was used to select the data, in this case, selected political parties’ symbols under study. Content analysis was the main form of data analysis in the study. The study findings are useful to political parties and political communication during election campaigns. The study has established that the Kenyan political party history can be divided into five distinct periods: pre-independence, post-independence, single party period, multiparty period and the new constitutional dispensation. During each of these periods, the political parties in existence adopted various symbols to represent the various views and ideologies they held at the time.