KENYAN POLITICAL PARTY SYMBOLS: AN INTERPLAY BETWEEN LINGUISTICS AND POLITICS IN DESIGN AND CHOICE OF SYMBOLS

Abstract

This study examines the symbolic design of Kenyan Political Party (KPP) symbols by analyzing
118 symbols drawn from officially registered parties. Using a semiotic framework supported by
Critical Discourse Analysis, the study identifies the structural features, types of signs, semantic
fields, and sense relations represented in these symbols. The analysis shows that KPP symbols are
strategically crafted to convey associative meanings linked to ideology, regional identity, class
positioning, religious values, and the lived experiences of ordinary citizens. The findings further
reveal that symbols function not only as visual identifiers for voters—including those with low
literacy levels—but also as tools for political persuasion and identity construction. Overall, the study
demonstrates that KPP symbols carry layered linguistic and political meanings, making them central
to the discursive practices of Kenyan electoral politics.