Implications of Declining Sugar Industry on Household Gender Relationships in Western Region of Kenya

Abstract

According to Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (2010), Kenya suffered the biggest crises to its sugar sector between 1998 and 2001. Most sugar mills suffered serious financial crises which almost resulted in collapse of the industry. The main causes of the crises were managerial inefficiency and unregulated importation of sugar due to liberalization. To save the industry from collapse, the government initiated policy reforms that translated into the enactment of the Sugar Act 2001.New reforms and policies were initiated and implemented to guide and control the activities and operations of all stakeholders in the industry, however the government failed to deliberate on matters affecting gender relationships at household level, as a result of the declining status of the sugar industry. This study therefore strives to analyze the implications of the declining sugar industry on gender relationships at household level in Western region of Kenya. The study adopted phenomenological study design. The study was informed by social role theory by Alice Eagly (1987), the study applied purposive sampling. The sample size of the research study depended on the level of information saturation. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, and observation. The findings revealed that men have compromised their male ego due to their inability to provide for household needs and livelihoods. The study concluded that the decline of the sugar industry has led to men’s inability to provide for household needs and livelihoods hence the changing gender dynamics at household level. To solve these challenges, the study recommends that, the government should initiate empowerment programs for positive change and implement chapter 6 of the Kenyan constitution.