Dynamics in kamba women’s political mobilization in lower eastern region, kenya, 1895-2022

Abstract

Women make up a significant proportion of the population, accounting for over half of the planet's inhabitants. Despite this, their participation in politics has always been lower than that of men. To ensure equal allocation of resources, the Kenyan parliament has enacted legislation aimed at promoting gender parity in various decision-making arenas. Women constitute more than half of the Kenyan population and form a sizeable part of the electorate, yet they still face political discrimination. Specifically, women are often invisible as candidates for political office at the county, ward, and parliamentary levels. The study's objectives were to investigate how colonial socioeconomic policies influenced women's political mobilization in the Lower Eastern Region between 1895 and 1963, examine patterns of women's political mobilization in the same region between 1963 and 2022, and explore the socioeconomic and political structures that impede women's political empowerment. Pre-colonial Kamba women played a vital role in politics in the Lower Eastern Region of Kenya. However, this role was undermined by colonialism, and the post-independence Kenyan governments have not made sufficient progress toward achieving equitable political representation for women in the region. Several social, economic, and political factors have hindered women's participation in politics, making it difficult for them to achieve political power. This investigation employed the theories of Articulation Mode of Production and Social Relations Gender Approach. The latter is based on three fundamental tenets, namely that human well-being is the primary goal of development, that social relations determine people's roles, rights, and responsibilities, as well as their power over others, and that institutions play an integral role in perpetuating social inequality. This study used an exploratory research design, which included a target population of 1,518,074 people. A convenient cluster sampling method was used in order to select the 55 respondents. Cluster sampling was also used to pick respondents from each of the four counties in the study. Research instruments employed included interview guides with open-ended questions, structured interviews, oral interviews, and focused group discussions. Data was gathered through national archives, in-depth interviews, and focus groups, and primary and secondary data was systematically sorted in accordance with study objectives during the final thesis writing process. The study fills a scholarly gap regarding Akamba women's political mobilization and provides empirical knowledge to Public Benefits Organizations (PBOs) and governments on issues concerning women's political mobilization. The findings of the study have indicated that: that the pre-colonial Akamba women of Lower Eastern Region exercised some degree political power. There was a women council locally known as Iveti sya ithembo which was equivalent to the community’s most senior council of the elder of the shrine (Atumia ma ithembo). Colonialism as introduced in Kenya followed a patriarchal style and entrenched existing patriarchal institutions; the independent governments perpetuated the politics of tokenism towards women and that the 2010 constitution opened our political spaces for women to engage in politics. The recommendations the study makes are that: the IEBC should ensure political parties are compliant with the constitution in relation to gender parity; Government appointments strive to be gender inclusive; Education institutions to demystify the notion of gender amongst the learners and, that women should take advantage of their numbers to ensure their influence is felt in all key policy making forums.