Exploring the Implications of Gendering Food Security in Kapenguria Constituency, West Pokot County

Food insecurity is a significant crisis that disproportionately affects a vast population especially in the Arid and Semi-Arid areas in Kenya. Kenya has been ranked to be having the lowest food security index. Kapenguria in West Pokot County, Kenya has been characterized by a lack of sufficient food and a state of insecurity over food availability, making it one of the counties in Kenya facing these challenges. Gendered food security is an ongoing concern in various roundtable discussions and panels. The intersection of gender and food security interlinkages brings out the need to address this challenge due to growing food insecurity concerns. A concurrent explanatory design explored the nuances of gendering food security and why it is a growing challenge to women. Questionnaires were formulated and distributed to explore the whole picture of how women understand the dynamics of food security. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with Kapenguria Constituency residents, local authorities, and other stakeholders. Using thematic analysis, the study looked for emerging themes and patterns that shed light on the complex relationships between gender dynamics and food security in this environment. The main findings of the research were as follows; First, the study revealed that there was a complex interplay between gender dynamics and food security dynamics. Regarding food security levels, 54.9% of participants perceive their situation as "Moderately Food Secure," while 37.3% identify as "Marginally Food Insecure." Cultural and societal norms play a substantial role in shaping women’s access to nutritious food. Perceptions regarding policymakers’ understanding of gender issues in food security are encouraging, with 63.4% believing that policymakers grasp the importance of gender considerations to a substantial extent.