This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
Kenya's 2010 constitution was hailed as a landmark moment for the country, enshrining gender equality in law and promising a new era of transformation for its marginalized communities. However, 10 years on, the reality is starkly different.
Published on May 12, 2020, a report highlights the importance of devolution in enhancing gender equality in Kenya and suggests practical ways forward to facilitate gender-responsive budgeting and planning.
Devolved government, implemented in 2013, had the potential to reshape gender dynamics in Kenya and improve county governments' decision-making. However, despite its infancy, devolved governance in Kenya has faced significant challenges, including incoherent national policymaking and leadership, weak technical capacity at county level, poorly implemented or non-existent mechanisms for public consultation, and a lack of gender-disaggregated data on which to base policymaking.
Despite these obstacles, some counties have made real progress. However, the impact of devolution on equality has been limited, with projects to help marginalized groups still accounting for a minimal percentage of county government budgets.
Effective policy initiatives and real-world change are still possible through devolved governance. An approach that emphasizes gender-responsive budgeting can begin to address systematic inequalities, including through gender budget statements, the collection of accurate gender-disaggregated statistics, and the provision of adequate support to mechanisms for public consultation.
Effective oversight is possible through elected county assemblies, and national and county treasuries should spearhead initiatives in this field with relevant support from all stakeholders.
Gender-responsive budgeting is sustainable only if policymakers at both central and local levels of government own the process, which depends on sustained political will.
Further research is necessary to fully understand the complexities of devolution and its impact on equality in Kenya.
