The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) has called on political parties to strengthen their internal party systems and invest in the capacity of women aspirants and representatives from women’s, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWD) leagues to promote fair and inclusive participation in the 2027 General Elections.
For instance, this year, FIDA-Kenya has been actively engaging political parties on gender-responsive election and nomination rules, women’s leadership, inclusive decision-making and measures to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, political intimidation and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).
One such engagement in Kisumu County on 7th October 2026 highlighted a key concern: that women aspirants and representatives of party leagues have limited capacity to navigate party structures, understand nomination procedures, and effectively advance women’s representation.
This reality points to the need for practical support that equips women with the knowledge and skills to participate in party decision-making, pursue elective positions and understand the processes for addressing nomination-related grievances.
According to the IEBC report, published in 2023, women accounted for only 12.18% (1,962) of the 16,100 candidates cleared to contest in the 2022 General Elections.
This report identifies persistent social and institutional barriers that undermine women’s political participation and leadership.
While these figures do not establish capacity as the sole cause of women’s underrepresentation, they reinforce the need to address barriers within political parties alongside broader social and structural inequalities.
On TFGBV, FIDA-Kenya’s Election Sexual Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) report of 2022 found that 52% of SGBV cases documented across Kenya involved online violence. This finding highlights the significant threat that TFGBV poses to women’s safety and meaningful participation in electoral processes.
The Constitution of Kenya, 2010, provides a clear basis for action. Article 27 guarantees equality and freedom from discrimination; Article 81(b) establishes the principle that no more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender; Article 91 sets out the basic requirements for political parties, including democratic principles and respect for gender equality and equity; and Article 100 calls for legislative measures to promote the representation of women, persons with disabilities, youth, ethnic and other minorities, and marginalised communities.
Political parties now have an important opportunity to translate these obligations into practice as they prepare their election and nomination rules for the 2027 electoral cycle.
On the other hand, the Office of Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has set 16th October 2026 as the deadline for submitting these rules, with certification expected by 30th October 2026 and submission to the IEBC by 6th November 2026.
FIDA-Kenya calls on political parties to: Invest in women’s capacity-building: Equip women aspirants and league representatives with practical knowledge of party constitutions, election and nomination rules, leadership structures, campaign processes and avenues for resolving nomination disputes.
FIDA-Kenya reiterates that strengthening women’s political leadership requires more than formally opening opportunities to contest.
Women must have the knowledge, practical support and institutional backing needed to navigate party processes and compete fairly.
