Challenges and Opportunities of Domestic Violence in Nyeri County, Kenya

Lilian Wanjiku Machariah; Ruth Simiyu

doi:10.51867/ajernet.4.2.19

Authors

Lilian Wanjiku Machariah
cikulilian@gmail.com
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3423-1395
Ruth Simiyu Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0223-3441

Keywords:

Domestic, Dynamics, Family, Peace, Socio-Cultural, Violence

Abstract

For many years, domestic violence has been stereotyped as violence against women and girls, with men as perpetrators. However, in recent times, men have also become victims. Domestic violence is a violation of human rights and should not be condoned. Nyeri County has experienced tremendous development and, therefore, changes in terms of education, occupation, and economic activities, making it one of the richest counties in Kenya. With these changes in society, there is a high level of education, strong cultural adjustments, and economic endowment, and the expectation is that there should be harmony in the homes. To the contrary, there is a lot of domestic violence, as captured by scholars and the media. The objective of the study was to assess the challenges and opportunities resulting from domestic violence in Nyeri County, Kenya. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. The study was underpinned by the frustration-aggression theory and the social learning theory. Descriptive and evaluative research designs were used. The study was conducted in Nyeri County, which has a population of 759,164. The study used random, purposive, convenience, and census sampling techniques. The following respondents were sampled to participate in the study: 384 household heads, 12 assistant chiefs, 15 police officers, 30 religious leaders, 12 NGOs/CBOs, 3 sub-county administrators, and 20 village elders. The primary methods of data collection were questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 25 to give frequency distributions, means, and percentages, and findings were presented using tables, graphs, and charts. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic narrations, and findings were presented using narrations and descriptions. Challenges to domestic violence include a lack of political will (16%), modernity (15%), the influence of social media (20%), societal victimisation (29%), and high poverty levels (20%). There are some opportunities for enhancing the resolution of domestic violence, such as boosting moral values, strengthening the justice system, enacting social programmes and sensitization, and providing psychosocial support. The study recommends that the government, civil society, and the general public should work together to end domestic violence in the county, as it is a major threat to human rights.

Dimensions

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