THE INFLUENCE OF TRANSGENERATIONAL TRAUMA ON THE VOTING PATTERNS IN NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Transgenerational trauma is the transmission of historical wounds, injustices, and collective memories from one generation to the next. Voting behavior is the individual`s political participation to share in the social alteration and organizational processes. Nakuru County in Kenya, has experienced repeated episodes of political violence, ethnic clashes, and land-related conflicts causing deep scars that continue to shape community perceptions of security and governance. This study examined the influence of transgenerational trauma on the voting patterns of voters in Nakuru County, a historically volatile region. This study adopted a quantitative correlational research design using researcher designed questionnaires to measure transgenerational trauma indicators and Newman and Sheth Model of voting behaviour. A sample of 400 respondents from Molo, Njoro, Kuresoi North and Kuresoi South constituencies of Nakuru County participated, with 392 responding. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis using SPSS Version 26. The descriptive statistics involved frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations to summarize demographic characteristics and responses. The inferential statistics involved Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation to test the strength and direction of the relationship between transgenerational trauma and voting patterns. The results were summarized in tables. The findings generally indicated a correlation with Pearson’s r = .195, p = .000, indicating a significant positive correlation between transgenerational trauma and the voting behaviour of the voters. These results concluded that transgenerational trauma influences voting behaviour primarily through emotional feelings, personal experiences, and current issues, rather than through issues and policies, candidate image, or social imagery. The study recommends truth and reconciliation initiatives, psychosocial support for communities, civic education for issue-based voting, and policy frameworks that integrate trauma-informed approaches into governance. The study contributes to the growing field of political psychology in Kenya by highlighting the role of collective memory and trauma in democratic participation.