Nexus between Power Imbalance Among Intimate Partners and Gender Based Violence Among Youth in Ruiru Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya

The study sought to examine the relationship between power imbalance among intimate partners and gender- based violence (GBV) among the youth in Ruiru Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya. The study’s literature includes a review of multiple related literature consistent with the research topic by exploring different perspectives on power imbalance factors contributing to GBV among the youth in different contexts. The study was guided by the Social Learning Theory and complemented by the Social Exchange Theory. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The targeted population was 1,166 youths while the accessible population was 664. A sample size of 268 respondents was obtained through a stratified random sampling procedure ensuring that both male and female participants were appropriately represented in the study. Validity of the instruments was determined by experts from the Institute of Gender, Women and Development Studies. The study adhered to ethical considerations in all study processes. Primary data collection was done using interview schedules for 12 respondents and closed-ended questionnaires for 244 respondents totalling to 256. The collected data was analysed quantitatively and qualitatively using statistical methods and thematic analysis respectively. The quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 through correlations and regression. The qualitative data was analysed using NVivo through thematic analysis. The study reveals that gender- based violence (GBV) among youth in Ruiru Sub-County is shaped by power imbalance among intimate partners. Quantitative statistics revealed standardised regression coefficient (β=0.418, p=0.014) and a robust correlation (r=0.79, p<0.01), highlighting how disparities in decision-making authority, access and financial control lead to strained relationship dynamics. These findings were supported by qualitative findings illustrating how gender expectations and economic dependency encourage patriarchal dominance. The study concludes that GBV in this peri-urban context is not merely a personal or household issue but a systemic phenomenon that is rooted in power imbalances and institutional fragility. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the County Government of Kiambu in collaboration with national agencies needs to develop and enforce gender-responsive policies promoting inter-agency coordination and resource allocation; civil society Organisations and the private sector expand youth-centred economic empowerment programs including vocational training, microfinance, financial literacy and targeted support for GBV survivors; religious and community leaders partner with youth networks and educational institutions need to lead transformative campaigns challenging gender norms through education, community dialogues and public declarations; also, healthcare and justice sectors need to strengthen their capacity in trauma-informed, survivor-centred care, deploying mobile legal and health clinics to underserved areas to ensure equitable psychosocial, legal and medical services. Future research needs to explore how cultural norms and economic insecurity structurally contribute to GBV among youth, assess the long-term impact of empowerment interventions through longitudinal studies and evaluate the effectiveness of GBV policies in culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged settings.