This report provides a detailed and comprehensive Gender Assessment study of Kenya’s Oil and Gas sector to determine the impacts of the growth of the sector, and to make recommendations on how to mainstream gender into the project and sector. The report identifies gaps, risks, and mitigating factors that present a threat or challenge as relates to gender in the sector, as well as opportunities that serve as recommended solutions on the way forward.
The objective of the Gender Assessment (GA) is to conduct a strategic assessment of the current and likely impacts of the oil and gas sector on women and men, their gender roles and relations, in Kenya. The study also aims to support the adaptation of Kenya’s policies, programs and plans in the oil and gas sector to the needs and ability of the target group and to guide the implementation of KEPTAP in a gender-informed manner.
The GA is a qualitative study and not one based on random sampling as required under quantitative methods. Key informant interviews were held with a wide range of stakeholders in Nairobi, Kisumu, Turkana, Isiolo and Lamu counties to provide a representative view of the oil and gas value chain and indicate the different sections of the oil and gas sector in Kenya. The study sought to satisfy the TOR’s requirement to include at least two communities per area, including one closer and one further from any potential sites and to include participatory social assessment approaches to identify current or anticipated impacts of the oil and gas sector on women and men, and on gender roles and relationships in those communities. Participatory research in each community was undertaken using focus groups separately with men and women (and with rural men and rural women, and urban men and urban women as applicable), and youth.
Whilst there is an ethical case and rights based approach to support development of gender equality in oil and gas industry in Kenya, this GA is premised on World Bank Gender study findings that supporting men and women to achieve equity and equality is both the right and smart way forward1. Potentially the oil and gas industry can mitigate risks of negative impact and support sustainable, gender equitable development.