Gender and political transformation in Kenya: a case study of women in Luoland, 1895-2002

Abstract

The impact of colonialism on African women and the transformation of their roles in the social, economic and political spheres has been the focus of many Africanist scholars. However, most of the works focus on African women generally. The current study specifically, focuses on Luo women in Kenya. It is an inquiry into the gendered political transformation the Luo have undergone from 1895 – 2002. It specifically analyses the role of women in pre-colonial Luo society. It also examines how the integration of the Luo community into the colonial system impacted on women. It further discusses how colonialism marginalised the women and how the independent Kenyan state has continued with the same legacy. The study has included the voices of the the few female political leaders such as; Grace Onyango, Phoebe Asiyo, Grace Ogot, Mama Uhuru: Magdalene Aboge Alila, Caroline Oguta and Roseline Aricho in the struggle against political marginalisation. Finally, it analyses the democratic transition in Kenya and how it impacted on Luo women.The study used two theoretical frameworks to interrogate the objectives. The liberal feminism and gender theory were used as tools of historical analysis. The two perspectives captured the roles of women in the period under study. The perspectives show how the gender roles were transformed, historically and culturally over time. The theories were used to show how the few women who challenged marginalisation worked within the societal structures to bring about changes for the women. The women politicians worked to change policies and to introduce new strategies such as Affirmative Action so as to have women integrated into national politics.The study is based on data from both primary and secondary sources. The data was analysed using the theoretical tools to explain the gendered political transformatoin that has taken place in Luoland.The study established that in the pre-colonal Luo society, women were actively involved in every aspect of the societal life, that is, social, economic and political. The political was closely fused with the economic and social spheres. Medicine women and prophetess for example made decisions that impacted the whole community. This fused version of politics would end with the integration of the Luo society and the colonial state, whereby the public sphere and domestic sphere were divided, thus locking women out of politics. The marginalisation of women in politics is as a result of a combination of factors; namely, colonial legacy, lack of education, lack of funds, political violence and abuse, and party-politics to mention but just a few. The study findings show a paucity of women in political positions, reflecting the existence of an unfavourable climate for women’s political initiative. In addition, it reveals that the democratisation process, beginning with the introduction of multiparty politics in 1991 has not, empowered Luo women in terms of political gains.