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.
