Between Law and Custom: Community Awareness of Women’s Land Rights in Kajiado West, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E8/2026-04Keywords:
Awareness, Customary law, Gender, Land rights, Legal literacyAbstract
Despite progressive legal frameworks promoting gender equality in land ownership in Kenya, the level of awareness of women’s land rights remains critically low at the community level. This paper investigates community awareness of women’s land rights in Kajiado West Sub-County, a region where customary practices strongly influence land access and control. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study collected data through structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Quantitative findings revealed that while 70% of male respondents reported high awareness of land reforms, only 50% of women did, with young and unmarried women showing the lowest awareness levels. Qualitative insights attributed the gender gap in awareness to entrenched patriarchal norms, limited civic education, and low literacy levels among rural women. The study concludes that the disconnect between constitutional guarantees and customary practice undermines women’s land rights and recommends targeted legal literacy campaigns and culturally sensitive sensitization programs.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Komba E., Chesikaw L, Cheplogoi S. (Author)
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