Women’s Political Participation Opportunities in the Nakuru and Narok Counties of Kenya
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Date
2024-02-28
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Empirical Research
Abstract
This paper focused on the political opportunity to empower women in Nakuru and Narok counties of Kenya by conducting
comparative evaluative research. Feminist Theory informed this study, which focuses on gender disparities and how political,
economic, and social factors dictate women's roles and engagements. This research aimed to assess the KB clown sketches and
their impact on women's political chances. A purposive sampling procedure was adopted in which 335 participants with critical
informants, ordinary citizens, and young women interested in leadership positions were sampled. Quantitative and qualitative
research was used, and questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions were used to collect data among women to
understand the current political situation. Data analysis was done in two ways, which include descriptive and thematic analysis.
The quantitative data from the administered questionnaires were analyzed descriptively to produce frequencies and percentages
for the findings on women’s political participation opportunities. The information collected from interviews and focus group
discussions was analyzed through thematic analysis to develop trends and findings on socio-cultural perspective, policy
understanding, and institutional support for women in politics. Research outcomes revealed that despite the improvement in
electoral democracy and female representation in the political process, barriers including but not limited to inadequate resource
mobilization, conflict of cultures and practices, and unequal/ irregular championing of gender mainstreaming policies and
frameworks still inhibit inclusion. These policies were deemed critical because they informed women as to how they could extend
effective democracy in political systems while also ensuring that people in a community understood the gains that could be
derived from having women's leadership. Research concluded that this can be achieved through efforts to strengthen mentorship
programs, increase public appreciation for the importance of women's participation in leadership and governance, and improve
the application of supportive policies and laws. Some recommendations focus on political capacity-building and gender
sensitization training to empower women for political positions and call on the political parties to encourage gender parity on
their list of candidates. Using media and technology in leadership and management to promote role-modeling to women leaders is
also essential in establishing relationships and collaboration with other regional and global organizations on lobbying for
women's political rights. Research into these matters should be conducted with backup data for a substantive approach to the
progress of Nakuru, Narok, and other counties. Individually, these measures present a trajectory toward improving the
environment of women's political participation in Kenya.