Nexus between women voters’ radio exposure and grassroots electoral participation under the new devolved political dispensation in Kenya

Abstract

This article examines the nexus between women voters’ radio exposure and participation in the 2013 Kenyan general election in Kakamega County located in the western part of the country. This research grounded in political mobilization theory and uses and gratifications theory utilized a descriptive quantitative correlational research design. Data was collected from 372 women voters using a survey-interviewer administered questionnaire. Data gathered was analyzed through descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression. Results reveal medium to high radio exposure and limited electoral participation among women voters. Consistent with past findings, the correlation between women voters’ radio exposure and electoral participation is positive and statistically significant. This has implications to radio practitioners and political stakeholders’ approaches towards promoting gender equality in electoral participation in Kenya. We propose an increase in gender-sensitive political education radio programmes targeting women based on their socio- demographics. This article contributes to knowledge on the relationship between radio exposure and electoral participation in developing democracies in which the legacy medium of radio remains dominant. A nation-wide study on the influence of radio exposure on women voters’ electoral participation in Kenya is suggested.