Impact of Chama membership on rural women's land tenure security in Kakamega County, Kenya

Abstract

This study examines the impact of Chama (women’s self-help group) membership on the land tenure security of rural women in Kakamega County, Kenya, particularly its influence on land ownership and the inclusion of title deeds. Using a mixed-methods approach, semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 107 rural women Chama members across Mumias East, Shinyalu, and Malava constituencies. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Firth logistic regression, while qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis using MAXQDA Pro Analytics to identify emerging insights. There is a significant positive relationship between Chama participation, and women's land ownership and name inclusion on title deed. Women with multiple Chama memberships were 157 % more likely to own land (OR = 2.57, p < 0.01), and each additional membership increased the likelihood of a woman's name appearing on a title deed by 76 % (OR = 1.76, p < 0.05). While multiple Chama participation enhanced legal awareness and financial capacity, financial empowerment alone was insufficient for title deed inclusion. Socio-cultural barriers remain a persistent obstacle to obtaining full land rights. The study recommends leveraging Chama structures for legal education and advocacy to equip women with the knowledge and strategies necessary to claim and retain land ownership effectively.