NAIROBI, Kenya – Women could face another uphill battle for elective seats in the 2027 General Election unless political parties overhaul nomination rules and confront intimidation, sexual harassment and online abuse, the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) has warned.
FIDA-Kenya is urging political parties to review their internal rules to give women a fairer chance to compete for elective positions and participate in party decision-making.
The call comes ahead of the October 16 deadline for political parties to submit their election and nomination rules to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
Women Accounted For Just 12.18pc Of 2022 Candidates
Women remained underrepresented among candidates in the 2022 General Election, accounting for only 12.18 per cent of the 16,100 candidates cleared to contest, according to a 2023 assessment by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
FIDA-Kenya says women aspirants and representatives of party leagues often face difficulties navigating party structures, understanding nomination procedures and challenging decisions they consider unfair.
The concerns emerged during an engagement with women aspirants and party league representatives in Kisumu County on October 7.
The organisation wants parties to make nomination processes more transparent and accessible so that women can compete on fair terms and have a meaningful voice in party leadership.
Online Abuse Threatens Women’s Political Participation
FIDA-Kenya has also raised concern over online violence targeting women in politics.
Its 2022 Election Sexual Gender-Based Violence report found that 52 per cent of documented cases involved online violence, highlighting the risks women can face when seeking or holding political office.
The organisation is calling on political parties to establish measures to address sexual harassment, political intimidation and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
Such abuses, it warns, can discourage women from seeking nominations, participating in campaigns and engaging in political leadership.
FIDA-Kenya has also called for practical training to help women, young people and persons with disabilities understand nomination procedures and participate more effectively in party leadership.
Party Rules Face Key Electoral Deadlines
Political parties are required to submit their election and nomination rules to the ORPP by October 16.
The Registrar is expected to certify the rules by October 30, before they are submitted to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) by November 6.
The deadlines provide an opportunity for parties to review their internal procedures ahead of the 2027 elections and address concerns over access, fairness and participation.
Constitution Requires Gender Equality
The Constitution of Kenya requires political parties to uphold democratic principles and gender equality.
Article 81(b) provides that not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender, a constitutional requirement commonly referred to as the two-thirds gender principle.
FIDA-Kenya’s appeal centres on ensuring that party nomination rules and internal decision-making structures support women’s participation rather than create additional barriers.
With the nomination rules deadline approaching, the organisation is urging political parties to address these concerns before the next election cycle gathers pace.
