HARNESSING THE WIND, SHAPING LIVES THROUGH COMMUNITY INTERVENTIONS AND KIPETO PROJECT’S IMPACT ON INDIGENOUS WOMEN IN KAJIADO WEST SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Large-scale energy projects such as Kipeto significantly influence the livelihoods of indigenous women, particularly by restricting their participation in decision-making and benefit-sharing. Patriarchal norms within the Maasai community further limit women’s inclusion, underscoring the need for gender-equitable approaches in renewable energy development. This study investigated the impact of the Kipeto Wind Power Project on women’s participation in community consultation, land-use decision-making, benefit-sharing, and empowerment programs. Using a descriptive design, the study targeted 22,935 indigenous women in Kajiado West Sub-County, with a sample derived through Slovin’s formula and stratified random sampling. Primary data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions, generating both quantitative and qualitative insights. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data, while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS (version 28). Findings revealed that social engagement and economic development initiatives had significant positive effects on women’s livelihood security. However, women’s inclusion in decision-making and consultation alone did not yield substantial impacts. These results highlight that direct socio-economic interventions, such as income generation and skills training, are more transformative for women’s well-being than consultative processes. The study recommends prioritizing women-centered economic empowerment and strengthening governance frameworks to promote equitable benefit-sharing in future energy projects.