Women Leadership in Elective Positions in Kenya: A Case of Nyamira County
| dc.contributor.author | Ongeri,Thomas Otete | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-03-02T12:00:08Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-03-02T12:00:08Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-09 | |
| dc.description | A Research Project Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts (Public Policy and Administration) of Kenyatta University. September, 2025 Supervisor Jane Njoroge | |
| dc.description.abstract | Despite constitutional and institutional frameworks aimed at promoting gender equality in Kenya, women’s representation in elective political positions remains critically low, especially at the county level. The underrepresentation of women in elective leadership is a global challenge to the realization of gender equality and inclusive governance. This study investigates the drivers of women’s leadership in elective positions in Nyamira County. The specific objectives include the influence of cultural, economic and political factors on women’s pursuit and attainment of elective offices. Anchored in Patriarchy and Feminist Theories, the study employed a descriptive survey design targeting 384 registered voters across the county’s four constituencies. The study used structured questionnaires and interview schedules to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for quantitative analysis, while qualitative responses were examined thematically. The findings reveal that entrenched patriarchal norms, traditional gender roles, cultural taboos and exclusionary political party structures continue to suppress women’s leadership ambitions. The study also found that, economically, limited access to financial capital, land ownership disparities, and the cost-intensive nature of political campaigns disproportionately affect women candidates. Politically, the study uncovers systematic exclusion of women in party nominations, limited media visibility and heightened vulnerability to electoral violence and character assassination. The study concluded that entrenched cultural resistance to female candidacy, financial inequities in campaign mobilization and political party biases significantly perpetuate systemic discrimination against women in leadership engagement. The report suggests that political parties, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and the Kenyan Parliamentcounty governments, and gender advocacy organizations prioritize the implementation of gender-responsive policies and legal reforms. The study also recommends deliberate policy enforcement, targeted civic education, economic empowerment programs, gender-sensitive electoral reforms and the institutionalization of quota systems. It further calls for sustained political will and policy enforcement to dismantle the patriarchal structures that hinder women's leadership. The research contributes to the discourse on gender, governance and politics in Kenya and offers practical recommendations for policymakers, political actors and civil society to bridge the gender leadership gap at the county level | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/32614 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.title | Women Leadership in Elective Positions in Kenya: A Case of Nyamira County | |
| dc.type | Thesis |