Assessing the Impact of Devolution on Gusii Women’s Participation in Electoral Politics in Kisii County

Abstract

he participation of women in politics has throughout the world been acknowledged as a significant measure of the status of women. In retrospect, women’s participation in electoral politics has increasingly received growing attention in many developed and developing countries. However, women remain serious underrepresented in electoral politics. The main aim of this study was to assess the impact of devolution on Gusii women’s participation in electoral politics in Kisii County. This study sought to answer the following four questions: One, in what ways are Gusii women involved in electoral politics? Two, how has devolution enhanced Gusii women’s participation in electoral politics? Three, what is the level of compliance on the one third gender rule in all elective position? Four, what challenges does devolution pose to Gusii women’s participation in elective politics? The issue of women’s participation in electoporal politics was explained within the social constructivism theoretical framework. A qualitative research methodology was employed and data were collected through in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews and secondary sources in the months of October and November 2018. The findings of the study reveal that while devolution has contributed a slight increase in Gusii women’s participation in electoral politics, the actual number of women elected into political office remains very low. The findings of the study indicate that economic, cultural, social and religious factors impede Gusii women’s participation in electoral political under the deveolved system of governance. The study further shows a low level of compliance with the constitutional requirement that not more than two-thirds of the members of elective or appointive bodies shall be of the same gender. The study concludes that while devolution has opened the political space for wider...............................................