Transportation management practices and Performance of Electoral Systems in Kenya.
Authors: Charles Muo , Ndolo Jackson , Odari Sammy 
Published: February 2024

Elections are becoming democracy’s bedrock. Even before the  great  development  of  African  states were  created,  antagonists  attempted  to  corrupt,  undermine,  or  otherwise  disrupt  democracy  by seeking  to  subvert  elections.  The threats on the electoral process are as old as the vote itself:  from adversarial governments, terrorist organizations, strikers for the Boss Tweed vote, people who try to wreak havoc hence the survival of democracy demands for the protection of elections.  As a consequence, after   the 90s   Election   Administration   in   African   nations, the   tendency   of   some individuals to impede elections has not changed, mentioning a number of electoral fraud cases in the history of African States. In recent years, some of the tactics of such attempts to overthrow democracy have   become   distinct.   Attacks   that   exploit   vulnerabilities   in   digital   networks   today   improve conventional approaches and have become an increasingly successful strategy. Therefore, the study sought to determine the relationship between transportation management practices and Performance of Electoral Systems in Kenya.The research design that was used in this study was an exploratory research design.  The population for this study consisted of 373 Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CS/CEO), Deputy   Commission   Secretary (DCS), Directors, Managers, County   Election   Managers, and Constituency Election Coordinators within 290 constituencies of Kenya's August 2017 election. A total of 373 respondents were used as the sample size for the study.  Data was used as primary and secondary.  While self-administered questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect primary data, the study reviewed the previous evaluation reports to seek the secondary data on performance of election systems in Kenya.  The data was collected and then analyzed by both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The results of this study benefited policy makers, managers, administrators, citizens all whole, researchers, consultants, scholars, and trainers involved in election administration.  This study tested the null hypotheses that transportation management practices had no significant relationship in the performance of electoral systems in Kenya.  Pragmatism paradigm approach and mixed method research   were   adopted   in   this   study. The   questionnaire   tested   both   validity   and   reliability. Quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to analyze the collected data with the assistance of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25. Multiple regression and correlation analysis were carried out. The results revealed a positive correlation (R = 0.712) between transportation management practices and electoral system performance, with approximately 50.7% of the variance explained   by   transportation management practices. The   consequences   of   these   findings   are   relevant   for   electoral authorities and policymakers that aim to improve the dependability, participation rate, uniformity, and trustworthiness of election systems through the use of strategic transportation management practices.  The study recommends key strategies to enhance the performance of Kenyan electoral systems through improved Transportation Management Practices. It suggests adopting advanced route optimization software for efficient delivery of voting materials, emphasizing GPS tracking and real-time monitoring. Comprehensive inspections before departure are urged to identify and rectify potential issues. Rigorous security protocols, including background checks, sealed containers, and security escorts, are proposed to address Transportation Security concerns. For Reverse Logistics, a meticulously designed plan is recommended for systematic collection, packaging, and timely pickup of materials post-election. Thorough examination and authentication of returned materials are crucial for ensuring accuracy and reliability. Proper maintenance of equipment is emphasized to guarantee optimal functionality for future electoral processes.