Challenges of Negotiated Democracy and Women’s’ Political Representation: a Case Study of Mandera County Assembly

Abstract

The study sought to determine the challenges of negotiated democracy and women‟s representation using a case study of Mandera County Assembly. The specific objectives of the study were; to discuss the role of the council of elders in women‟s representation and political ascension, to examine the challenges of negotiated democracy in promoting women‟s leadership in Mandera County and to establish the effect of negotiated democracy on the substantive representation of women in Mandera County. The study was guided by the critical mass and feminist political theories. The study adopted mixed-method process of both quantitative and qualitative procedures. Sixteen nominated women MCAs in Mandera County were interviewed. The findings were presented using table s and themes. The study revealed that the council of elders has played the chief architects of denying women the privileges and chances of contesting for political seats because they expressed open biases, upheld oppressive cultural values and favouritism among others. The council of elders has failed in their roles as far as taking part in political decisions. The council of elders portrayed negatively towards women's progress in political leadership as they evidently indicated a lack of support through their chauvinistic ideas. The study concludes that the council of elders are not appreciated by Mandera County women politicians and the general public because they infiltrate politics with oppressive cultural norms and clanism. Negotiated democracy only favours loyalists of the council of elders and men, especially from the majority clans. The major challenge of negotiated democracy in promoting women's leadership in the county is that it does not consider the popularity of aspirants, their policies, development records or voter interests. The role of the council of elders in women representation and political ascension is clan-oriented and cultural. The study recommends that the council of elders should not take part in politics, as they promote clanism. Negotiated Democracy should be abolished since it is a hindrance to democracy. The Council of elders should represent the interest of all genders as opposed to favouring men alone.