An Evaluation of gender mainstreaming practices in Bungoma County in Kenya

A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Public Policy and Management at Strathmore UniversityThe main aim of this study was to assess the gender mainstreaming practices in Bungoma County, which is one of the 47 devolved units of government in Kenya. To achieve the study objectives, the study adopted a descriptive survey design. The approach allowed for triangulation of methods in order to collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data for reliability and validity of the findings. The study population comprised of the employees of Bungoma County. Considering the huge number of employees involved, the study focused on employees from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Irrigation and Cooperatives (MOALFIC). Considering employees of the county are divided into homogenous categories in terms of directorates but also in terms of whether they are technical, administrative or clerical employees, stratified sampling was be used in choosing the sample population in order to capture the different categories of employees. Data in this study was collected using a semi structured survey questionnaire as well as through key informant interviews. Collected data was be analyzed through use of descriptive statistics such as frequency distributions and measures of central tendency. The study relied on chi square test to measure the strength of relationship between variables in the study. Qualitative data was summarized thematically into narratives. This study established that awareness of gender issues and gender mainstreaming among employees in Bungoma County is but some employees lack such awareness or understanding of gender issues and related gender mainstreaming. Most assertions on gender mainstreaming in Bungoma County received a moderate rating which implies employees not fully agreeing with the various statements on gender mainstreaming. This is indicative of some progress being achieved but process of gender mainstreaming not being entirely satisfactory. Key areas of concern is lack of a gender policy, unfair recruitment practices, lack of proper participation in legislative processes and general pessimism with regards to implementation of the two-thirds gender principle