HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE RECONFIGURATION OF AID RELATIONS: THE CASE OF CHINA- KENYA RELATIONS BY LILIAN TUNAI MULATI C50/CTY/PT/24023/2011 A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DIPLOMACY), KENYATTA UNIVERSITY. NOVEMBER 2016 Declaration I declare that this is my original work and has not been presented for a degree award in any other university. Signature……………………………………. Date………………………………… LILIAN TUNAI MULATI This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as University Supervisors Signature…………………………………………….. Date………………………………… DR. JOSEPH WASONGA Department of History, Archaeology and Political studies Kenyatta University Signature…………………………………………….. Date………………………………… DR. DANSON ESSESE Department of History, Archaeology and Political studies Kenyatta University ii Dedication I dedicate this work to my father Samuel Mulati Wafula and mother Agnes Naliaka Mulati for their undying support in my academic pursuit. iii Acknowledgement This work would not have been possible were it not for the Almighty God. Secondly, I sincerely thank my supervisors, Dr. Joseph Wasonga and Dr. Danson Esesse. I immensely benefitted from their constructive intellectual criticism and guidance. They went out of their way to read and give suggestions that improved this work a great deal. I also thank the entire staff of the Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies for their moral support during my studies. Special gratitude goes to my informants who made this research a success by willingly giving me the information needed in the various interviews. I also acknowledge the help of librarians in the Post-Modern Library, Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library of University of Nairobi, McGauley Library at Catholic University and the Kenya National Archives for helping me locate books and materials useful to this study. I cannot forget my classmates: Kristin Ademba, Simon Muga, Allan Wafula, Mwangi Mugo, Anthony Kihara and Mercy Ndirangu, together we shared the challenges of academic life and encouraged each other when the going got tough. I also appreciate my friends; Obadiah Ongere, Veronica Kimani, Benardette Kiarie, Angela Atonga, Julian Kihara, Joyhildah Khayundi and Dorine Owako for the support they gave me during this study. Finally, my sincere gratitude goes to my family for the encouragement, advice and financial support. iv Abstract The study explored human rights in the reconfiguration of aid relations with a particular focus to China- Kenya relations. The study used other African countries such as Zimbabwe, Sudan, and Angola as cases of illustration to ground the thesis’ argument. The study sought to realize the following objectives: find out the dominant features of China-Africa foreign aid relations, analyze the nature of China-Kenya relations since independence, survey the trend of Kenya’s foreign aid relations, and examine possible links between China-Kenya foreign aid relations and Kenya’s human rights profile. To achieve these objectives, the study used both primary and secondary data. Primary data was obtained using interview guides while secondary data was subjected to critical textual analysis and interpretation to test the relevance and accuracy of the document for the purpose of the study. The obtained qualitative data was analysed thematically. The study sought to find out if we could theoretically situate China- Kenya relation among the trend that has defined the relationship between China and other African countries. Thus two variables were analyzed; foreign aid and human rights. The study adopted the Rational Choice theory to explain the Sino Kenyan relations. Sampling was based on purposive technique. Based on these principles, the premises of this study were analysed and it was observed that since 2002, when the NARC government took over power the shift towards China became unprecedented with China rising to become Kenya’s main foreign aid partner. The study found out that China- Kenya relation since independence has been defined by prevailing global political trends. The study concludes that what is engineering the relations between the two countries partly are pull factors (attractive conditions) and the main pull factor is China’s no strings attached policy. The study reveals that China’s economic concerns far outweigh its interest in enhancing human rights in the country. Although the study highlights the importance of China to Kenya as an important economic partner, it proposes the need to put in place measures to guarantee transparency in dealings between the two countries. v Table of Contents Declaration ............................................................................................................................................ ii Dedication ............................................................................................................................................ iii Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................................... iv Abstract ................................................................................................................................................. v Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................. vi Abbreviations and Acronyms................................................................................................................ x Operational Definition of Terms .......................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................................... 1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ..................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................................ 9 1.2 Research Questions ......................................................................................................................... 9 1.3 Research Objectives ...................................................................................................................... 10 1.4 Research Premises......................................................................................................................... 10 1.5 Justification and Significance ....................................................................................................... 11 1.6 Scope and Site of the Study .......................................................................................................... 11 1.7 Literature Review and Theoretical Framework ............................................................................ 12 1.7.1 Review of Relevant Literature ................................................................................................... 12 1.7.1.1 Foreign Aid ............................................................................................................................. 12 1.7.1.2 Human Rights ......................................................................................................................... 15 1.7.1.3 China-Africa Relations ........................................................................................................... 18 1.7.2 Theoretical Framework .............................................................................................................. 24 1.8 Research Methodology ................................................................................................................. 28 1.8.1 Sampling Design ........................................................................................................................ 28 vi 1.8.2 Data Collection Procedure ......................................................................................................... 29 1.8.2.1 Secondary Sources .................................................................................................................. 29 1.8.2.2 Primary Sources ...................................................................................................................... 29 1.8.3 Research Instruments ................................................................................................................. 30 1.8.4 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................. 31 1.8.5 Data Management and Ethical Considerations .......................................................................... 31 CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................................................................ 32 2.0 Dominant Features of China-Africa Foreign Aid Relations ......................................................... 32 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 32 2.2 China-Africa Historical Ties and Development ...........................................................................