i WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL PROCESSES IN KENYA: THE CASE OF NYAMIRA COUNTY 1963-2013 NDUBI MARGARET BOCHABERI C50/CE/14046/2009 A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (HISTORY) OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY ii DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other university. Signed:………………………………….. ………………………… Ndubi Margaret B. Date This thesis has been submitted for review with our approval as university supervisors. Signature:…………………………….. ……………………………… Prof. Mildred A.J. Ndeda Date Lecturer Department of History Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology ……………………………………….. ……………………………… Dr. Joseph Wasonga Date Lecturer Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies, Kenyatta University iii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to the Almighty God who has cared for me all my life, inspired and led me to this level. To my husband Zachariah for the support and understanding that he gave me throughout the period of study and to my children Horace, Fridah, Faith and Sammy for their big motivation and impetus to forge ahead. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First and foremost I would like to express my appreciation to the members of the teaching staff of the Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies in Kenyatta University for their tireless time and guidance they gave me when writing this document. Secondly, I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to my supervisors Prof. M.A.J Ndeda and Dr. Joseph Wasonga. Thirdly, I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to my entire family members for their patience, understanding and support they gave me throughout the period of my study. Fourthly, I would like to pass my appreciation to my colleagues at Kenyatta University and Kisii Campus who shared a lot with me when coming up with this work. In the same vein, I would like to thank all the respondents for their assistance and information during data collection. I also thank my typist Madam Regina who always spent her time in typing this document. To the many other persons who assisted me in one way or the other and whom I may not have mentioned, I say thank you and God bless you all! v LIST OF TABLES Table i: Parliamentary Women’s Participation (1963-1974) ............................................................... 71 Table i: Parliamentary Women’s Participation (2002-2007) ............................................................. 145 vi LIST OF FIGURES Fig i. Counties of Kenya .................................................................................................................. 31 Fig ii. Nyamira County ..................................................................................................................... 32 vii DEFINITION OF TERMS Political processes: This is a series of things or activities done in the political arena. These activities may include registering as voters, being elected for parliamentary or civic seats, voting in the elections, debating issues that affect citizens, campaigning, attending civic meetings etc. Citizens have to participate in these processes. If the citizens do not participate in one way or another, there cannot be a democratic government because a democratic government involves the citizenry women included. It is important that the citizens are informed on their rights they are able to participate better. viii ABBREVIATION AND ACRONYMS ADC - African District Council BPA - Beijing Platform for Action CBOs - Community Based Organizations CEDAW - Convention on Elimination of Discrimination against Women C-WES - Constituency Women Enterprise Scheme DP - Democratic Party ECWD - The Education Center for Women and Democracy EFA - Education For All EPPP - Engendering the Political Process Programmes FIDA - International Federation of Women Lawyers FORD - Forum for the Restoration of Democracy FPE - Free Primary Education FSE - Free Secondary Education ICTs - Information and Communication Technologies IDEA - Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance IEBC - Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission ILO - International Labour Organization KANU - Kenya African National Union KAR - King’s African Rifles KCPE - Kenya Certificate of Primary Education KHAA - Kisii Highlands Abagusii Association MDGs - Millennium Development Goals MPs - Members of Parliament MYWO - Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization NARC - National Rainbow Coalition NCSW - National Committee of Status of Women NCWK - National Council for Women of Kenya NDP - National Development Party NWC - Narc Women Congress OI - Oral Interview PSC - Parliamentary Selected Committee UN - United Nations UNDHR - Universal Declaration of Human Rights UNIFEM - United Nations Development Fund for Women WEF - Women’s Enterprise Fund ix TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents TABLE DECLARATION .................................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION ...................................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ..................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................. v LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................... vi DEFINITION OF TERMS ................................................................................................................... vii ABBREVIATION AND ACRONYMS .............................................................................................. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................... ix ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................................ xiii CHAPTER ONE ..................................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ........................................................................................... 1 1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM .......................................................................................... 5 1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ......................................................................................................... 6 1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY ................................................................................................ 6 1.5 RESEARCH PREMISES ............................................................................................................ 7 1.6 SIGNIFICANCE AND JUSTIFICATION ................................................................................. 8 1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS .................................................................................................. 10 1.8 LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ........................................ 11 1.8.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 11 1.8.2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ........................................................................ 11 1.8.3 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK .................................................................................... 19 1.8.4 AREA OF STUDY ........................................................................................................... 29 Figure i. Counties of Kenya ............................................................................................................. 31 x Figure ii: NYAMIRA COUNTY ......................................................................................................... 32 1.9 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................. 33 1.9.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 33 1.9.2 SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 35 CHAPTER TWO .................................................................................................................................. 37 NYAMIRA WOMEN ON THE EVE OF KENYA’S INDEPENDENCE .......................................... 37 2.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 37 2.1 SOCIO-CULTURAL SETTING OF THE GUSII IN PRE-COLONIAL TIMES .................... 38 2.2 PRE-COLONIAL ECONOMIC, RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OF THE ABAGUSII ....................................................................................................................... 43 2.3 COLONIAL PENETRATION IN GUSIILAND ...................................................................... 51 2.4 WOMEN’S RESPONSE TO COLONIALISM IN NYAMIRA COUNTY ............................. 60 2.5 SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................