KEWOPA has called for urgent political and electoral reforms to create a safer and more inclusive environment for women and young people seeking elective office ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The call was made during the Women and Youth Convention 2026 convened by KEWOPA in partnership with Uraia Trust, with support from the Embassy of Denmark in Kenya and Somalia. The convention brought together women and youth leaders, aspiring candidates, electoral stakeholders, civil society representatives and other actors to examine barriers limiting political participation.
The discussions focused on electoral safety, political violence, technology facilitated gender based violence, political party processes, nominations, campaign financing, electoral preparedness and the need for stronger networks and intergenerational mentorship for women and young leaders.
KEWOPA Chairperson and Kajiado Woman Representative Hon. Leah Sankaire said women continue to face discrimination within political parties, limited access to campaign financing, difficult nomination processes, intimidation, violence and online harassment.
“No woman should have to choose between her safety and her political aspirations.”
Sankaire said political violence and intimidation were discouraging women from seeking elective positions and warned that the growing culture of political violence and goonism threatens Kenya’s democratic space.
She also noted that young people continue to face limited access to political networks and resources and are often treated as voters and campaign crowds rather than leaders and decision makers.
“The goal is not to make women’s and young people’s leadership exceptional; it is to make it normal,” she said.
Former Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister and Senior Counsel Hon. Martha Karua, who was the Chief Guest, urged women to step forward, build strong networks and support one another across political party affiliations.
Karua said the number of women seeking elective positions must increase if Kenya is to achieve greater representation of women 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 challenged political parties to provide women with fair opportunities to compete for elective positions and urged women to hold parties accountable where they are denied equal opportunities.
Karua also encouraged voters and political parties to prioritise competence, integrity and commitment to public service when choosing candidates.
The Convention underscored the need for political parties, electoral institutions, Parliament, civil society and political leaders to take concrete action to remove structural barriers affecting women and youth.
Participants called for safer political spaces, transparent nomination processes, equitable access to campaign financing and stronger mechanisms to address political violence and technology facilitated harassment.
As Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, KEWOPA said women and youth must be given an equal opportunity to compete, lead and participate meaningfully in decision making.
The Convention made clear that inclusive democracy cannot be achieved by treating women and youth participation as an exception. Their presence in political leadership must become a normal and permanent feature of Kenya’s democratic system.