Bureaucratic corruption, gender equality and gender stratification: evidence from healthcare financing policy processes in subnational governments in Kenya

Abstract

The present article examines bureaucratic corruption in the form of nepotism, cronyism, elite capture, bribery, sextortion and embezzlement, and its relationship to gender inequality and, more specifically, gender stratification. This is explored in the context of policymaking processes relating to healthcare financing in the county governments of Kiambu and Nairobi City, two subnational governments in Kenya. The empirical research presented in this article is shaped by radical feminist theory and methodology. Responses from 58 women were gathered through interviews and focus group discussions. It was found that bureaucratic corruption affected women and men differently and produced outcomes that exacerbated gender inequalities within the subnational policymaking processes. The results indicate that reducing bureaucratic corruption could improve gender equality and decrease gender stratification.