Media Focus On Africa
  • Home
  • Who We Are
  • Our Projects
    • Kenya
    • Uganda
    • Netherlands
  • News
  • Resources
    • Annual Reports
    • Kenya Media Week Reports
  • Contact Us
Women’s Participation in Kenyan Politics is moving in the right direction
Women’s Participation in Kenyan Politics is moving in the right direction

Women’s Participation in Kenyan Politics is moving in the right direction

Marie January 19, 2023

Since the 2013 elections in particular, Kenya has seen a significant increase in the number of women participating in politics. There has been a continual rise in the number of those running for office and the ones succeeding to hold those leadership positions. Today women make up 23.5% of the National Assembly up from 22% in the last parliament. Increasingly women are making their voices heard and breaking through the traditional barriers that have kept them out of the political arena.

Constitution of Kenya 2010 carries provision for realizing gender parity in political leadership and participation. Famously known as the two-thirds gender rule, the provision requires that no gender exceeds two-thirds in terms of its membership of all elective political positions. As a result, more and more women cognizant of this provision are stepping up to seek elective political positions with every election since 2013.

Another key factor that has contributed to this increase is the rise of women’s political organizations and programs. These organizations and programs have been instrumental in providing support and resources for women who are interested in running for office. Further, they have also been instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of women’s participation in politics.

Ms President has been one of such programs that has been at the forefront to highlight the importance of women participation in leadership and inspiring more ways men and girls to become more politically active. The show has been praised for its ability to spark important conversations about women’s participation in politics in Kenya and for its ability to inspire real-world change. A few of Ms President participants are currently occupying high level political leadership positions at the national level such as in the National Assembly and in the national executive. It’s also been credited with helping to shift societal attitudes towards women in politics in the positive direction, as well as encouraging more women to consider running for political office. Overall, Ms President is an important step in the ongoing effort to increase the representation and participation of women in Kenyan politics.

Despite these gains, there is still a long way to go in terms of achieving true gender parity in Kenyan politics. Women still face significant barriers when it comes to running for office, including a lack of financial resources, discrimination, and a lack of political experience.

However, there are many inspiring examples of women who have overcome these barriers and made a real impact in Kenyan politics. For example, Martha Karua, among the few women who’ve run for president in Kenya. She was a Presidential candidate in 2013 and a Presidential running mate in the 2022 election. Currently, there are seven female governors, and several women hold high government positions, including in the Cabinet as Cabinet Secretaries.

In conclusion, the participation and representation of women in Kenyan politics is an essential step in achieving true democracy and representation. We need to continue to work towards creating an environment where women can participate in politics without facing discrimination and barriers. By doing so, we will create a more inclusive and equitable society for all Kenyans.

social media

Social Media Feed

Updates from Uganda & Kenya

Facebook Kenya

This message is only visible to admins.
Problem displaying Facebook posts.
Click to show error
Error: Server configuration issue

Facebook Uganda

This message is only visible to admins.
Problem displaying Facebook posts.
Click to show error
Error: Server configuration issue

Twitter Kenya

Media Focus on Africa Media Focus on Africa · 8 hours ago
@Media_Focus
#MsPresident Season 2 winner @AngelMbuthia together with our Country Director @mangandomo paid a courtesy call to @unwomenkenya Country Representative @annamutavati and shared her plans to advance women's empowerment in the Kenya.

@EUinKenya @CanHCKenya

#SheCanLead https://t.co/pUpVJBBTlS
View on Twitter
Media_Focus photo
2
2
Media Focus on Africa Media Focus on Africa · 2 weeks ago
@Media_Focus
Women are making their voices heard and breaking through the traditional barriers that have kept them out of the political arena. What role has #MsPresident played in this? Click the link below
https://t.co/dvXlXnakMt https://t.co/w3HG1Hm2SK
View on Twitter
Media_Focus photo
4
63
Media Focus on Africa Media Focus on Africa · 3 weeks ago
@Media_Focus
#WCW

Today we celebrate all the amazing women who participated in the second season of Ms President. These women showed immense courage and heart, and we're so grateful for their contributions. Thank you, ladies!

#MsPresident https://t.co/ZiCt11kHJY
View on Twitter
Media_Focus photo
2
3
Media Focus on Africa Media Focus on Africa · 1 month ago
@Media_Focus
May this new year bring you good health, wealth, and happiness.

#happyNewYear2023 https://t.co/dAmIfNAf3y
View on Twitter
0
2
Media Focus on Africa Media Focus on Africa · 1 month ago
@Media_Focus
We at Media Focus on Africa Wish you and your loved ones a joyous Christmas season filled with hope, positivity, joy, and love.

Please note that our office will remain closed until 9th January.

#happyholidays2022 https://t.co/XFagcGorDq
View on Twitter
0
0
Media Focus on Africa Media Focus on Africa · 2 months ago
@Media_Focus
There is a great deal of research that suggests that when women are better represented politically, the prevalence of GBV (gender-based violence) decreases.
https://t.co/MZzq41apHr

#16DaysofActivism2022 https://t.co/P4Lthg595Z
View on Twitter
Media_Focus photo
3
11
Follow @Media_Focus

Twitter Uganda

Media Focus on Africa Uganda Media Focus on Africa Uganda · 4 weeks ago
@MFAUganda
#JournalismIsNotACrime https://t.co/lwUPmKvgKv
View on Twitter
MFAUganda photo
West Nile Press@WestNilePress
We call upon @PoliceUg to release 4 Journos Scovin iceta-NTV, Debo Ronald-Tbs Radio Moyo, Mustaf Safi-Voice of Nile & Stephen Unzimai of Radio Pacis who were arrested & currently being detained at Obongi CPS for following kidnap of Hon. Hassan Kaps Fungaroo @HRNJUganda https://t.co/QANNxL3hSq
0
2
Media Focus on Africa Uganda Media Focus on Africa Uganda · 1 month ago
@MFAUganda
We wish you happy holidays🎄 🎊 🎆 🎅 https://t.co/lbUZY7G6Fe
View on Twitter
MFAUganda photo
0
8
Media Focus on Africa Uganda Media Focus on Africa Uganda · 2 months ago
@MFAUganda
What are you doing about gender inclusivity in your Newsroom?

👉 @JoeWacha from @EtoilAKaramoja tells us...
.
.
#SheCan
#MediaMattersUG
#Equality https://t.co/g4DyQravat
View on Twitter
MFAUganda photo
5
7
Media Focus on Africa Uganda Media Focus on Africa Uganda · 2 months ago
@MFAUganda
Are you playing your part to support Women in Media?

@912CroozeFM's Dorothy ...tells us
#Sheleads #SheCan #genderInclusion
#WomeninMediaCount https://t.co/LH578weTqD
View on Twitter
MFAUganda photo
4
9
Media Focus on Africa Uganda Media Focus on Africa Uganda · 2 months ago
@MFAUganda
How do we contextualize the loss and damage fund at the #COP27 for the #Ugandan audience? There’s need for a united front in creating awareness to trigger individual based #climateaction. - Jan Ajwang - @MFAUganda https://t.co/iKEkExI4rA
View on Twitter
MFAUganda photo
3
14
Media Focus on Africa Uganda Media Focus on Africa Uganda · 2 months ago
@MFAUganda
📌Women count in newsrooms! What is your newsroom doing?
Here is Gabriel Adrapi's story from @RadioPacisnews

#MediaMattersUG
#16DaysOfActivism
#Orangetheworld
#EndGBV https://t.co/KR4eEQyy12
View on Twitter
MFAUganda photo
3
13
Follow @MFAUganda

Annual Report 2019

https://mediafocusonafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ANNUAL-REPORT-2019-FINAL.pdf

CONTACT US

  • Kenya Email: info@mediafocusonafrica.com
  • Kenya Phone: +254 711 403 555
  • Uganda Email: infouganda@mediafocusonafrica.com
  • Uganda Phone: +254 755 146 541
  • Netherlands Email: info@mediafocusonafrica.com
  • Netherlands Phone: +31 6429 90149

FEATURED POSTS

  • Karamoja Dialogues
  • Training and Dialogue wrap-up
  • Journalists’ training on digital inclusion
  • Community Dialogues on GBV in Mbarara, Uganda

    All rights reserved 2023 | Terms and Conditions Apply 2023