This study investigates how the dynamics of politically connected firms in Kenya affect the earnings quality of those firms. Prior studies have mostly examined the effects of political connections of the board of directors on a firm’s earnings quality. Political connections in those studies were established through the board members’ affiliations with political parties. This research investigates the effects on earnings quality of directors who are politically connected through political parties, government affiliations or tribal affiliations. The sample for the study includes all listed firms (64) in the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) from the period 2016 to 2017. The main findings show that tribal affiliations play a strong role in the determination of earnings quality of Kenyan companies.
