Consequences of women group leadership competencies in enforcing illegal alcohol control policy in Nandi North Sub-county, Kenya

Stancy Chepkemoi; Edmond M. Were; Pia Okeche

doi:10.51867/ajernet.6.4.96

Authors

Stancy Chepkemoi Kisii University, Kenya
Edmond M. Were Kisii University, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1466-6682
Pia Okeche Kisii University, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6648-8780

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.6.4.96

Keywords:

Community-Based Implementation, Illicit Alcohol Control Policy, Nandi North Sub-County, Policy Effectiveness, Women Group Leadership Capabilities

Abstract

Alcohol consumption, despite the present legislative frameworks, remains a severe social and socioeconomic challenge in Kenya. This research investigated the influence of the group leadership skills of women on the manner in which the illegal alcohol control program was enacted in Kenya in the Nandi North Sub-County. This research used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, which was grounded on agency and empowerment theories. The sample size of the respondents was selected as 258 respondents, based on the target population of 881 stakeholders, comprising residents, community leaders, enforcement officers, and the members of women's groups in purposive and systematic random sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and structured questionnaires. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data, whereas SPSS version 17.0 was used to analyze the quantitative data through multiple regression analysis and descriptive statistics. The findings indicated that the leadership potential of women's groups was also of a significant predictive ability of the efficacy of policy implementation (R²=0.551, F(4,145)=18.367, p<0.001). Resource mobilization (b=0.291, p=0.004), advocacy and sensitization (b=0.352, p=0.003), leadership decision-making (b=0.418, p=0.001), and monitoring and accountability (b=0.267, p=0.004) were also significantly beneficial. The qualitative study found out that collaborative strategies, including joint lobbying campaigns (68%), regular coordination meetings (79%), community sensitization programs (82%), and collaborations with local authorities (86%), enhanced policy implementation outcomes. Based on the findings of the study, group leadership by women is a useful, though under-explored, resource in executing policies at the grassroots level. In an effort to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of community-based treatment, the policy frameworks are supposed to recognize women's organizations as valuable players in alcohol control programs and offer them adequate funding, capacity building, and integration in institutions.

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