Challenges and Prospects of Achieving Two Third Gender Rule in Elective Seats of Members in Kiambu County Assembly, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was: to investigate factors affecting the Two Third Gender Rule in Kiambu County Kenya; the effects of not achieving the Two Third Gender Rule and to suggest possible initiatives of addressing the Two Gender Rule in county elections. The target population was elected women and nominated Members of County Assembly (MCAs) and voters. Kiambu County has 60 MCAs and only four women were elected as MCAs and thus led to nomination of 27 women to achieve the Two Third Gender Rule in the first assembly. In the second assembly, only one woman was elected as MCA leading to nomination of 29 women as MCAs. The study found out that female aspirants had inadequate finances to meet their campaign needs and the rooted patriarchal culture which did not favor female candidates. The study recommends that women should be more assertive and that women voters need to support female aspirants. Female aspirants need to come out in large numbers to seek elective seats and prove that politics should not be male dominated. The study is useful to Government ministries and researchers.