Ethnicity and Intimate Partner Violence in Kenya

Anecdotal evidence in several sub-Saharan African countries, including Kenya, suggests a complex relationship between ethnicity and intimate partner violence (IPV). Yet very few studies examine the relationship between these two important variables. We use a sample of 4,512 ever-married women from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) to explore the relationship between ethnicity and three dimensions of IPV (physical, sexual, and emotional) among Kenyan women. Results show significant relationships between ethnicity and physical, sexual, and emotional violence. Compared with Kikuyu women, Luo and Luhya women were significantly more likely to report having experienced all three types of violence. The addition of socioeconomic variables reduced the risks of experiencing IPV among Luo and Luhya women significantly, but not completely. These findings suggest that beyond their socioeconomic vulnerabilities, there may be some intrinsic cultural characteristics that expose Luo and Luhya women to IPV in Kenya.