THE KENYAN CONSTITUTION AND THE POLITICAL PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN.

Constitution refers to a body of fundamental or established precedents according to which a state or

other organization is acknowledged to be governed.

Political participation refers to a common political behavior that uses the institutional channels of
representative government, especially voting in elections.

Affirmative action is a policy measure in favor of any disadvantaged group e.g. women, refugees and the
disabled.

Today, there is a real need to define women’s political participation broader than just women serving in
national office. Political participation is also women’s leadership and engagement in decision making
processes in the communities, their roles at the local level is critical.

First, I believe that at the local level both the supply and demand sides of politics are more
interconnected. When women becomes active locally by mobilizing others to hold local representatives
accountable (the supply side), they become more visible within their communities and their name
recognition grows. When political opportunities occur, demand for these women to serve as community
representatives increases. Consequently, chances for their political participation grow.

Second, almost universally, there are more seats contested at the local level, Thus it can be assumed
there are more opportunities for women to be elected and a larger number of women to serve in an
elected office.

Third, it may also be anticipated that women are more engaged in local communities and intimately
familiar with the local issues. Therefore it should be easier for them to get into local governing bodies.
They are the ones who face the issues that the rest of the community does. Thus their knowledge of the
community would provide credibility to candidacy.

Finally, as the responsibilities of local government as rather broad, women at local level have the
potential to influence a larger number of decisions. There is more and more research revealing that an
increase in the number of women in public office results in better governance practices including greater
responsiveness to citizens’ needs, bigger economic benefit and increased cooperation across party lines.

Of course the relationship between women at the local level and the local political parties has to be kept
in mind as well as the different level of responsibilities different executive structures and consultative
decision making.

STRATEGIES THAT ENHANCE WOMENS POLITICAL PARTICIPATION.

 Showing support for women by financing them i.e. through advocacy which can be done in
several ways – By financing them during campaigns, and training them on how to address the
masses. This will enable women to compete with their male counterparts.
 Men to be engaged in the support of women leadership through going out and vote for women,
campaigning for them and sensitizing the public voter the importance of engaging women in
leadership and encourage them to register as voters.
 The affirmative action where the legislatures’ can come up with laws that encourage women to
engage in leadership and creation of special position for women e.g., the constitutional law of
political parties and women participation, the two third gender law and the electoral offences
that deals with violence against women.
 Through education- creation of awareness through barazas where women are educated on
public speaking and as voters. They are taught on the importance of vying for seats, leadership
skills and making informed decisions.
 Communication and media- the use of media platforms to advertise their agendas and
manifestos so as to sell their views to the voters so as to convince them to vote for them. This is
one of the most relevant platforms to gain support.
 Through lobbying-seeking of support from a more senior or an influential person so as they can
support them in their political bid, they can be able to access funds and information in the
political domain.
 Through demonstrations- public demonstrations, public awareness, writing of articles so as to
educate people the importance of women participation in leadership.
 Social cultural strategies can be used to regulate arguments to the society and culture by having
more women in leadership positions that are available in the public sphere.

HOW WOMEN CAN BE ENHANCED IN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION.

 Women should vie for political seats so as to get elected.
 Women should acquire personal resources so as to carryout campaigns.
 Women should be trained so how to address the public during political campaigns.
 Women should support one another so as to be engaged in decision making processes.
 They should also examine themselves and have confidence so as to vie for seats and
compete with men.

HOW TO DO AWAY WITH THE OBSTACLES.

 Develop a platform for women’s agenda by challenging and eliminating power
inequalities against e.g. eliminating all forms of discrimination i.e. social,
political, and cultural against women.
 Enacting policies that promote gender equality and ensure that policies are
implemented. Improve women economic conditions by encouraging education,
employment, access to resources, giving them credit in rural areas.
 Encourage women to join and form political parties so as to create a women’s
platform which bring women from different regions so as they could come up
with solutions for their problems in political domain.
 There is need to enhance women’s capacity to believe in theory political
participation, developing in campaigns and enhancing political skills.

FACTORS THAT HAVE LED TO AN INCREASE IN WOMEN IN POLITICS.

 The increase in education opportunities for women which has enabled
women to be able to participate in political leadership in the society.
 The adaptation of multipartism in Kenya. This act provided more
political opportunities for women to compete and vie seats in
leadership.
 The legal status which has enabled women to legally recognize women
in leadership as equal partners in economic development.
 Improved economic status of women. Most of the women today have
acquired resources and quite a number of them are economically stable
and empowered.
 Availability of donor funding by the United Nations for women. UN
sponsor women through funds and train them on how to become
successful and better decision making in political platforms.
 Women vast experience in association and other public activities. Their
experience has made them to qualify in leadership positions.

IMPACT ON INCREASE IN WOMEN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION.

 There is an increase in women’s representation in political
leadership positions in the country hence they are engaged in
policy making processes.
 It has boosted confidence in the community as women’s
interests are being tackled in the political field.
 Women have become more independent and confident
because they are able to address issues affecting them at the
community level.
 There is more participation of women not only in leadership
position but also they have been able to participate in voting
process and attending public functions.
  Issues affecting women in the society have been well addressed
today because they are the ones addressing their issues and
know how to encounter them.

CONCLUSSION.

Women should be given more opportunities so as the policies

available should be enacted into law so as they can be able to
be fully engaged into decision making processes and political
participation in the different levels of authority in the society
today and in the future.

EGERTON UNIVERSITY NJORO MAIN CAMPUS.

INSTITUTE OF GENDER WOMEN AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES.

DIPLOMA IN GENDER YEAR 3 SEMESTER 2.

QUESTION: THE KENYAN CONSTITUTION AND THE POLITICAL

PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN.

PRESENTED BY: ANNE ITUMBI TITUS – IP01/13459/15.

: BRIAN OLIECH AGUL – IP01/13646/15.

PRESENTED TO: MADAM FELICITY KURI