Gender Labour Relations in Selected Industries in Thika
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GENDER LABOUR RELATIONS IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN THIKA, KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA, 1945 - 2010 GITUMA DORIS KANORIO A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of Master of Arts Degree in the Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kenyatta University June, 2019 DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other University Gituma Doris Kanorio C50/25487/2013 Supervisors: This thesis has been presented with our authority as the University’s supervisors. Dr. Felix Kiruthu Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies Kenyatta University Dr. Felistus Kinyanjui Department of International Relations, Conflicts and Strategic Studies Kenyatta University ii ABSTRACT This study examined gender labour relations in some manufacturing industries in Thika, Kiambu County. It mainly focused on the formal industries, covering the period between 1945 and 2010. The study was guided by three objectives with first one examining the historical development of industries within Thika Town Constituency between 1945 and 1963. The second objective focused the effect of those industries on gender relations from 1963 to 1985 whereas the third objective examined the impact of the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) on gender relations from 1985 up to 2010. The data collection methods entailed descriptive research design with an interview guide, which was designed to collect qualitative information on gender labour relations. Purposive sampling technique was used targeting 33 respondents mainly males and females aged between 20 to 80 years. The sample population included the former and current workers of the existing and collapsed industries, officials from labour office, development officer, social services officer and local administrators within Thika Town Constituency. In addition, data was collected from primary and secondary sources. Primary data included oral interviews and archival sources from Kenya National Archives and government papers. Secondary information was obtained from the Post-Modern Library (Kenyatta University) and Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library (University of Nairobi), Kenya National Libraries (Thika branch) and department of labour in Thika Town Constituency. The information gathered was organized into historical themes and analysed using gender analysis theory. This is because gender-based analysis deviates from women issues to consider structures that are affected by both men and women. The study revealed that although education could be necessary, it is not a sufficient condition to explain the inequality and discrimination existing for the employment of women within the manufacturing industries. In addition, it revealed that gender differences provide a mechanism, which provides a limited range of occupation options for women and consequently hindering their job opportunities. iii DEDICATION To Compassion International Kenya: for the inspiration, motivation and support throughout my academic journey and to dear mother, Ann Kanana M’Marete for taking me to school and treasuring education. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am appreciative to Kenyatta University for according me a chance to pursue this degree. Special gratitude to my supervisors Dr. Felix Kiruthu and Dr. Felistus Kinyanjui for their intellectual guidance. I am indebted to Dr. Martha Musalia and Dr. Peter Wafula for their help during the initial proposal development stage. My appreciation also goes to Kenya National Archives, the staff of postmodern library (Kenyatta University), Kenya National Libraries (Thika), Labour Department (Thika) and the International Livestock Research Institute is highly acknowledged. Special thanks go to all the respondents who shared information without hesitation for it made the study rich and unique. Finally, but not least, I acknowledge Mr. Ian Hamilton and his family for funding this study, my husband, Dr. Harun Gitari for moral and material support, and Sister Alice Naitore and Cousin Cynthia Makena for taking care of our children, Abigael and Caleb as I was concentrating on the study. Above all, I thank the Almighty Father for the gift of life, provision and protection during the study. v ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS BAT: British American Tobacco DFCK: Development Finance Company of Kenya DFCK: Development Finance Company of Kenya EAS: East Africa Standard ECA: Economic Commission for Africa GAD: Gender and Development GDP: Gross Domestic Product ICDC: Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation IDB: Industrial Development Bank ILO: International Labour Organization IMF: International Monetary Fund KEM: Kikuyu, Embu and Meru Kg: Kilogram KIE: Kenya Industrial Estates KNBS: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Ksh: Kenyan Shilling KVM: Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers PRSP: Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers RNLO: Resident Native Labourers Ordinance SAPs: Structural Adjustment Programmes SDGs: Sustainable Development Goals K.sh: Kenyan shilling TLDAR: Thika Labour Department Annual Report TMC: Thika Municipal Council UNDP: United Nations Development Programme UNICEF: United Nations International Children’s Fund VOC: Visa Oshwal Community WFTU: World Federation of Trade Unions WHO: World Health Organization WLD: Women, Law and Development vi GLOSSARY Ahoi: Kikuyu word referring to the landless people Chama: Swahili word referring to a self-help group Chang’aa: Traditionally home-brewed spirit Debe: A metallic tin used to weigh harvested coffee berries equivalent to 20 Kg Githaka: Kikuyu word for land Guthika: Kikuyu word meaning to bury Kipande: Swahili word referring to an identity card Mabati: Swahili word referring to Iron sheets Matatu: Swahili word referring to a public vehicle Mbari: Kikuyu term denoting a clan Mitumba: Swahili word referring to second-hand clothes Mzee: Swahili word for an old man Mzungu: Refers to visitors of European descent who made contact with African people vii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................ II ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. III DEDICATION .............................................................................................................................. IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... V ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ...................................................................................... VI GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................................ VII OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS ............................................................................. XII CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background to the Study ........................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Objectives of the Study ............................................................................................................. 5 1.4 Research Questions ................................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Research Premises ..................................................................................................................... 5 1.6 Justification and Significance of the Study ............................................................................... 6 1.7 Scope and Limitations ............................................................................................................... 7 1.8 Literature Review ...................................................................................................................... 8 1.8.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................ 8 1.8.2 Gender Labour Relation in European Countries .................................................................... 8 1.8.3 Gender Labour Relations in Asian Countries ......................................................................... 9 1.8.4 African Labour and Gender Relations .................................................................................. 10 1.8.5 Gender Labour Relations, Kenya ......................................................................................... 11 1.8.6 Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) and Gender Labour Relations ......................... 15 1.9 Theoretical Framework............................................................................................................ 16 1.10 Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 17 1.10.1 Research Design ................................................................................................................. 17 1.10.2 Study Locale ....................................................................................................................... 18 1.10.3 Target Population and Sampling .......................................................................................