Nature and Aspects of Gender Integration During Election Violence in Kibera Slum, Kenya

Abstract

Election violence has the potential to threaten the peace and security of many nations and destabilize the social fabric. Scholars have argued that women and children bear the greatest burden in times of violence compared to men. The main purpose of this study was to assess the nature and aspects of gender integration during election violence in Kibera slum, Kenya. The study was guided by social integration theory by Emille Durkheim and employed the descriptive research design. Fischer formulae as suggested was used to arrive at the sample size of 384 respondents;

S = X² NP (1-P) / d² (N-1) + X² P (1-P). Data were collected by use of interviewee assisted questionnaires and unstructured interview schedules. Data were analyzed by use of the statistical packages for social scientists (SPSS version 17). Data were presented in form of frequency tables, bar graphs, pie charts and verbatims, Measures of data analysis used included the chi square, mean, R spearman’s rank order correlation. The study established that Kibera residents had a moderately cordial relationship with each other during election violence. Majority could seek help or be helped, buy property or land, marry or be married and employ or be employed by someone outside their ethnic, social class political and religious affiliations. Election violence had a negative relationship with ethnic affiliations, social class, political affiliation and religious affiliation aspects of gender integration, that is, an increase in election violence would lead to a decrease in gender integration. Generally, women were more integrated compared to men. The study recommends that NGOs, CBOs and FBOs enhance their non-partisan advocacy and carry out civic education to enlighten Kibera residents and Kenyans at large on the importance of gender integration especially during the elections.