Participation of Women in Leadership and Governance Processes in Bomet County, Kenya

Aim: Despite constitutional and policy frameworks promoting gender equality in Kenya, women consistently face significant discrimination and exclusion in political, socioeconomic, and decision-making spheres. This study evaluates the impact of the Women Empowerment Link (WEL)’s "Strengthening Inclusive Leadership" (SIL) program in Bomet County, Kenya, on women’s participation in leadership, governance, and economic empowerment. Methods: Utilizing a mixed-methods design and Kabeer’s (2005) empowerment framework, the study assessed the program’s effect on women’s awareness, knowledge, behavioral change, and the application of acquired skills. Data was collected from 64 trained women and 17 key informants. Results: The study found that the program significantly increased women’s awareness (92.19%) and knowledge (92.19%) of leadership, governance, and gender representation. Notably, behavioral changes were observed, with high percentages of women showing interest in leadership selection (92.19%), following county leadership dynamics (85.94%), and expressing opinions publicly (79.69%). In terms of application, 68.75% of trained women offered themselves for leadership positions, 59.38% engaged in public participation, and 70.31% campaigned for women aspirants. Furthermore, the training enhanced women’s agency in negotiations, although a gap (34.38%-53.13%) existed between knowledge and practice in this area, suggesting ongoing systemic barriers. Conclusion: The study concludes that the SIL program effectively enhances women’s participation and empowerment by improving awareness, knowledge, and fostering significant behavioral shifts. Recommendations: The training model should be revised and institutionalized through inclusive, consultative processes to ensure sustained impact and scalability across other regions facing similar challenges.