The Implementation of the Two Third Gender Rule in the Devolved Government as Stipulated in the Kenyan Constitution: the Case Study of Meru County

Abstract

According to the Laws of Kenya, not more than two-thirds of members of elective public bodies should be of the same gender. This is commonly known as two thirds gender rule. This study sought to examine factors that impede the implementation of the two third gender rule in the devolved government as specified in the Kenyan 2010 constitution focusing on Meru County. The study had four objectives; to find out how the two thirds gender rule is being implemented in Meru County, to investigate the specific challenges facing the implementation of the two thirds gender rule in the devolved government of Meru County, to indentify social and demographic factors influencing perceptions on women and power among Meru people, and to determine the extent in which the two thirds gender rule influenced women to vie for the national assembly in Meru County. This study used descriptive survey design to achieve these objectives. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 120 respondents. A response rate of 83.3% was achieved. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods were used to analyze data. Results of qualitative data were presented in narrative form while the results of quantitative data were presented in charts and tables The study revealed that there is understanding on what the two thirds gender rule means. However, the results have shown that the two thirds gender rule has not been fully implemented. The study established that a number of challenges are responsible for impeding women to go for political positions and attain the two thirds gender rule. These challenges include cultural challenges, fear to challenge men, male chauvinism, lack of education, fierce competition, discrimination, socio-cultural background, lack of resources, the electoral system and nature of Kenyan politics which is hostile and aggressive. The study established that in Meru, culture influence the perception of women in any political participation. The study revealed that the majority of leaders in Meru County are men because many voters despise or look down upon women and many women of Meru County shy away from vying for top positions. According to the results, the constituency background determines the voting pattern for female candidate in Meru County. The study established that the two thirds gender rule influenced women to vie for various positions during the last elections. The study findings revealed that in Meru County there has never been an elected woman Member of Parliament and 2013 election opened up minds of community members where women came up to vie. On the perception of Meru people in regards to women and power, the study established that Meru people agree that women can manage both family and leadership but fairly agree that women are better leaders than men, women are good in policy making and an educated woman is even better in leadership. The study results have shown that Meru people disagreed that a woman can easily vote for another woman. This study concluded that there is awareness on two thirds gender rule and what it means in Meru County. Despite this awareness, two thirds gender rule has not been fully implemented. This study concluded that social demographic factors influence two thirds gender rule implementation. This study recommends that the Commission for Implementation of Constitution should focus more on ensuring that challenges impeding two thirds gender rule implementation are addressed in Meru County