Conclusion
None of the policies mentioned in the preceding sections will be effective without leadership. Many gender-responsive budget initiatives fail due to a lack of political will and support from government – and, as noted, progressive legislation and institutions backed by the constitution and legal judgments have not to date been sufficient to change the gender landscape. Powerful cultural, political and economic factors, outside the scope of this paper, act together to protect the status quo. Further research is needed, notably detailed political economy analysis at both national and county levels to uncover the multiple overlapping interests and actors that either hinder or could accelerate progress towards gender equality. Research would be particularly valuable in respect of those counties – such as Kisumu and Kirinyaga – where important steps have already been taken.
Nonetheless, promoting the principle of gender-responsive budgeting, increasing the capacity and reach of the oversight mechanisms that already exist, and taking advantage of the window of opportunity presented by Kenya’s radical and still-new system of devolved governance all offer potential avenues for progress. Lessons can be learned from other African states, such as Rwanda and South Africa. A great deal of work remains to be done to bridge the gap between policy commitments and resource allocation, revenue and expenditure in Kenya. But though its first 10 years have not brought the change that Kenya’s most marginalized hoped to see, the 2010 constitution can still fulfil its promise, and act as an effective vehicle for achieving broad-based and sustainable equality for all.