NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association has called for electoral and political reforms to create a safer environment for women and youth seeking elective positions ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning that political violence and intimidation are discouraging women from seeking leadership.
The Association expressed concern that discrimination in political parties, unequal access to campaign financing, difficult nomination processes, violence, intimidation and online harassment continue to limit women’s and youth participation in politics.
KEWOPA Chairperson Leah Sankaire said political violence and intimidation were discouraging women from seeking leadership positions, speaking during a meeting convened by KEWOPA in partnership with Uraia Trust that brought together aspiring women and youth leaders, local administrators and electoral stakeholders.
“No woman should have to choose between her safety and her political aspirations,” Sankaire said.
She said the growing culture of political violence and goonism was not only a threat to elections but also a danger to women seeking political leadership.
Breaking barriers
“When a woman knows that stepping forward to seek office may expose her to intimidation, harassment or violence, we cannot tell her simply to be courageous,” Sankaire said.
She challenged political parties, electoral institutions, Parliament and civil society to identify and remove barriers that prevent women and youth from taking part fully in politics. She also said young people continue to have limited access to political networks and resources and are often treated as voters and campaign crowds rather than leaders.
According to Sankaire, Kenya should move beyond simply increasing the number of women and youth in politics and instead work towards making their leadership a normal part of political life.
“The goal is not to make women’s and young people’s leadership exceptional; it is to make it normal,” she said.
“2027 must be the election where women and youth move from the margins to the centre of power.”
Karua’s call to action
The meeting was attended by KEWOPA members from both the Senate and National Assembly, as well as other leaders, including former Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister and Senior Counsel Martha Karua, who was the Chief Guest.
The leaders shared their personal leadership journeys and encouraged participants not to be intimidated but to step forward and offer themselves for leadership.
Karua said having more women and young people contest elective positions would increase their chances of being elected and taking part in decision-making. She urged women to use their numbers to claim their rightful place in political leadership.
“Nearly half of our population is women. For more women to be elected, you have to come out in large numbers and offer yourself for leadership,” she said.
Fair opportunities in political parties
Karua also called on political parties to give women fair opportunities to compete for elective positions, saying they should not accept being treated as mere ornaments within political organisations.
“We are not ornaments in political parties. We should have 50/50 chances in parties,” she said.
She urged women to hold political parties accountable and consider leaving parties that repeatedly fail to treat them fairly.
Karua further said Kenya would have more women in elected positions if voters and political parties focused on the ability, integrity and commitment to service of candidates.
“If we go on capabilities alone, there will be more elected women in office,” she said.
