The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) has called for electoral and political reforms to make the 2027 elections safer and more inclusive for women and youth, citing violence, intimidation, discrimination and unequal access to campaign financing.
KEWOPA Chairperson Leah Sankaire said women seeking elective positions continue to face discrimination within political parties, difficult nomination processes, violence, intimidation and online harassment, factors she said were discouraging many from pursuing political leadership.
“No woman should have to choose between her safety and her political aspirations,” Sankaire said during a meeting convened by KEWOPA in partnership with Uraia Trust.
The convention brought together aspiring women and youth leaders, local administrators and electoral stakeholders to discuss ways of promoting inclusive participation in leadership and elections.
Sankaire said the growing culture of political violence and goonism was a threat not only to elections but also to women seeking leadership positions.
“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,” she said.
She urged political parties, electoral institutions, Parliament and civil society to identify and remove barriers preventing women and young people from participating fully in politics.
Sankaire said young people also faced limited access to political networks and resources and were often treated as voters and campaign crowds rather than leaders.
She said Kenya needed to move beyond simply increasing the number of women and youth in politics and instead create an environment where their leadership was accepted as normal.
“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,” she added.
Peoples Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, who was the chief guest, urged women and young people not to be intimidated but to offer themselves for leadership.
Karua said increased participation would give women and youth a greater chance of being elected and represented in decision-making.
“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.
She challenged political parties to provide women with fair opportunities to compete for elective positions, saying women should not be treated as “mere ornaments” within political organisations.
“We are not ornaments in political parties. We should have 50/50 chances in parties,” Karua said.
She also urged women to hold political parties accountable and consider leaving those that consistently failed to treat them fairly.
Karua said more women would be elected if voters and political parties focused on candidates’ ability, integrity and commitment to public service.
“If we go on capabilities alone, there will be more elected women in office,” she said.