GENDER QUOTAS IN NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONTRIBUTION MADE BY NOMINATED FEMALE LEGISLATORS IN KENYA AND TANZANIA WAWERU KEZIAH WANJA STUDENT ID: 649059 A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (SHSS) IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR MASTERS DEGREE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY – AFRICA (USIU-Africa) SPRING 2018 i DECLARATION I, the undersigned, do hereby declare that this thesis is my original work, and has not been submitted to any other college, institution or university other than the United States International University-Africa, for academic credit. STUDENT Signed:…………………………………………………….. Date: ……………………… Waweru Keziah Wanja This thesis has been presented for examination with my approval as the assigned supervisor. SUPERVISOR Signed:……………………………………………………... Date:………………………. Kimani Joseph Njuguna AG. DEAN: SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Signed:……………………………………………….…….. Date:……………………… Prof. Angelina Kioko DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR Signed:…………………………………………………… Date:………………………….. Amb. Prof. Ruthie Rono ii DEDICATION I dedicate this thesis to my family who always stand by me through all the struggles of life and encourage me to be a better person each day. To my mother, Susan Waweru, you inspire me to be a strong and courageous woman. To my father, Stephen Waweru, thank you for believing in me. To my siblings Mary and Japhlet, I am forever grateful for the support you always provide. “You may see me struggle, but you will never see me quit. Neither should you.” iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis was made possible with the great support of several people and institutions. My profound gratitude goes to my supervisor Mr. Joseph Njuguna Kimani for his continued support, feedback and advice that enabled completion of this thesis. He played a critical role in conceptualization and organization of this thesis. Special thanks to my USIU-A lecturers, family, friends and colleagues as well as classmates who in one way or another contributed to the completion of my graduate studies. The USIU fraternity has ignited my interest, passion and curiosity of International Relations. I would also like to acknowledge my colleagues who provided a lot of support and encouragement throughout this journey. Special acknowledgement to Elizabeth Lewis, who provided me with flexibility that, enabled me to balance between my work and graduate studies. Finally, I acknowledge the contribution made by my academic mentor and friend, Dr. Muroki Thuo, who provide me with encouragement, direction, support and guidance throughout my graduate studies. To all my friends who encouraged and prayed for me, your support was very essential to my journey. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION..................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION........................................................................................................................ iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES: .............................................................................................................. viii ABSTRACT PAGE ................................................................................................................ ix LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS: ............................................................. x OPERATIONALIZATION OF KEY TERMS ................................................................... xi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 1 1.1. Background of the Study ................................................................................................ 1 1.2. Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................... 6 1.3. Research Objectives ....................................................................................................... 8 1.4. Research Questions ........................................................................................................ 8 1.5. The significance of the Study/ Justification of the Study .............................................. 8 1.6. The scope of the Study ................................................................................................... 9 1.7. Summary of all Chapters .............................................................................................. 10 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................... 12 2.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 12 2.2. Women in Politics: A Global Overview ...................................................................... 12 2.2.1: Recent trends of women’s access to national parliaments. ................................... 14 2.3. Women and Quotas: Use of Gender Quotas in National Parliaments.......................... 15 2.3.1. Factors that influence effective implementation of Gender Quotas. ..................... 16 2.4. Gender Quotas in African Parliaments......................................................................... 19 2.5. Gender Quotas and effects on policymaking ............................................................... 21 2.6. Women in Politics: The Case of Kenya ....................................................................... 23 2.6.1: Towards Adoption Gender Quotas in Kenya ........................................................ 24 2.7. Women in Politics: The Case of Tanzania ................................................................... 29 2.7.1: Towards Adopting Gender Quotas in Tanzania .................................................... 29 2.7.2: Women and Political Leadership in Tanzania ....................................................... 32 2.8. Summary and Gap to be filled by the Study ................................................................ 34 2.9. Theoretical framework ................................................................................................. 36 v 2.9.1: Feminist Theory..................................................................................................... 36 2.9.2: Liberal Feminism Theory. ..................................................................................... 37 CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................................... 40 3.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 40 3.2. Research Design ........................................................................................................... 40 3.3. Population and Sampling Design ................................................................................. 41 3.4. Data Analysis ............................................................................................................... 42 3.5. Ethical Issues ................................................................................................................ 43 CHAPTER FOUR: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONTRIBUTION MADE BY NOMINATED FEMALE MPS IN KENYA AND TANZANIA ....................................... 45 4.0: Introduction .................................................................................................................. 45 4.1. Contributions Made by Nominated Female MPs in Kenya ......................................... 45 4.1.1: Legislative contribution made by nominated female legislators prior to the 11th and 12th parliament .......................................................................................................... 46 4.1.2: Legislative contributions made by nominated female legislators in the 11th and 12th parliament ................................................................................................................. 49 4.1.3: Numerical increase in the number of female aspirants in the General Elections .. 54 4.1.4: Increased representation of women at key government positions ......................... 57 4.1.5: Increased participation of women in the Oversight ............................................... 58 4.1.6: Representation: Increased advocacy of Women issues ......................................... 59 4.2. Contributions Made by Nominated Female MPs in Tanzania ..................................... 60 4.2.1: Legislative Contribution Made by nominated female legislators in the current parliament ........................................................................................................................ 61 4.2.2: Increased representation of women at key government positions ......................... 63 4.2.3: Numerical increase in the number of female aspirants in the General Elections .. 65 4.2.4: Representation: Increased advocacy of Women issues ......................................... 68 4.3. Challenges Faced by Nominated Female Legislators in Kenya and Tanzania ............ 69 4.3.1: Lack of clarity on constituent represented by nominated women legislators ....... 69 4.3.2: Lack of autonomy .................................................................................................. 71 4.3.3: Lack of party