Men’s Contribution in Championing Women Leadership in Kenya: A Case Study of Nairobi County Assembly

Abstract

This research project embarked on an analysis of men's historical contributions to championing women's leadership in Nairobi County, with a specific focus on the Nairobi County Assembly. The thesis hypothesized that meaningful contributions and advocacy by men could pave the way for achieving gender parity in political leadership. The primary objective was to scrutinize the efficacy of men's contributions in fortifying and sustaining women's leadership, prompted by the persistently low representation of women in political offices despite constitutional mandates like the one-third gender rule in Kenya. Informed by Social Identity Theory and Telic Theory, which shed light on shared identity dynamics and deliberate decision-making in influence and leadership, the study aimed to enhance the understanding of variables shaping the research questions. Methodologically, a comprehensive approach that amalgamated qualitative and quantitative methods was employed, drawing insights from primary and secondary sources. The study focused primarily on county assembly ward committees in Nairobi, the county government executive wing, the county assembly, the national gender commission, and two non-governmental organizations fervently advocating for women's leadership in Nairobi. Respondent selection adhered to a non-probability sampling technique, specifically utilizing a purposive sampling method. Descriptive statistical methods were applied for data processing and analysis. The findings highlighted the multifaceted nature of men's contributions, indicating varied levels of impact across different sectors. While some men played a pivotal role in fostering women's leadership, challenges and disparities persisted. In light of these findings, recommendations have been formulated to inform strategies and interventions aimed at strengthening women's participation and leadership within the intricate political landscape of Nairobi County. This study aspires to contribute to the broader discourse on achieving gender parity in political leadership, building upon the historical contributions and evolving dynamics of men's involvement in championing women's leadership.