200 150 100 50 0 0 - 19 20 29 30 39 40 49 50 59 60 69 >70 0 - 19 20 29 VICTIMS 30 39 40 49 50 59 60 69 >70 PERPETRATORS Figure 5: Victim and Perpetrator rpetrator Analysis by Age The majority of the victims and perpetrators of political violence are middle aged (40 and 49) which reflects a trend in which this age group is mostly involved in political activit activity. y. The youths however constitute thelargest group among the perpetrators of violence. This is indicative of a common phenomenon, where youths lead in committing acts of violence and are used as “political fodder”. fodder With no employment, those who have resourc resources manipulate young people to do the dirty work for them. 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Figure 6: Victim and Perpetrator rator Analysis by Occupati Occupation As noted in the above graph,, the majority of the victims of violence are farmers farmers/villagers. /villagers. The group is usually vulnerable and prone to be attacked by political adversaries. The vulnerability of this group is worsened by its economic status, which is usually very poor. On the other hand, the majority of the perpetrators of violence are party members. It is assumed that the party members us use violence to maintain and consolidate their political hegemony. 20