Women defying societal stereotypes in Kenyan politics

 The elusive two-thirds gender rule

The Kenyan National Assembly still fails to meet the Constitutional two-thirds gender requirement for elective and appointive positions. This story explores if the country will be able to attain the two-thirds gender rule with the provisions in the constitution.

Over the years women have not been actively and fully taking part in politics and civic participation. A woman’s place has been in the kitchen, taking care of the children and tending to the husband’s needs. As people became liberal women were now allowed to take part in advocacy, lobbying, civic participation and even vying for elective seats.

As the 2011 UN General Assembly resolution on women’s political participation notes, “Women in every part of the world continue to be largely marginalised from the political sphere, often as a result of discriminatory laws, practices, attitudes and gender stereotypes, low levels of education, lack of access to health care and the disproportionate effect of poverty on women.

Grace Onyango was the first female to rise the ranks of Kenya’s political system. She defied cultural barriers to become the first female mayor of Kisumu after she replaced Maithas Ondiek. She also became the first female Member of Parliament in 1969. She was also the first woman to sit in the speaker’s chair as a temporary deputy speaker.

Women in Kenya have strived to overcome obstacles that prevent them from being involved in civic participation and actively participating in politics. Some of the obstacles range from discrimination, intimidation, and sexual harassment to prejudice from the electorate and other political opponents.

Malasen Hamida popularly known as Mama Mazingira born and raised in Kibra is a social, political, and environmental climate change champion. She joined politics in 2013, participating in party politics, and engaging in active politics in 2017 and 2022.

During the 2022 campaigns, she faced challenges like other women nationwide. Finances and campaign resources posed a considerable challenge for her especially with people always expecting money from aspirants.

“The challenges I faced were enormous. The main challenge was funding and resources as they were very limited and it was not adequate for me during the campaign as we live in an era where people depend on handouts during campaigns and I was not in a position to provide.”

“You might have the best policies and you can be an issue-based person but without resources, it can be a big challenge.”

“I faced a lot of intimidation and even had to devise ways to counter these attacks from people,” says  Malasen.

Just like Malasen, Faith Kasina a youth activist, human rights defender, and community organizer working with Kayole Community Justice Centre as a coordinator got into politics in 2022 vying for the Member of County Assembly Makongeni seat and experienced similar challenges.

“During the campaign period, I learned a lot. The community does not take into consideration what you have done for them. If you’re not backed by political cartels or a prominent party or even a godfather.”

“I needed to have money and resources to be able to hold a rally. People even said that I am a small girl with no children claiming that I am not old enough to fight against men in Parliament,” Ms. Kasina said

“The conscious, perpetual and sustained push for inclusivity and equality and equal opportunity for all is a campaign that arguably can be said to be achieving so much success or dividends on the political front.”

Ms Kasina tells us how an old lady put her off claiming that her vote is meant for a specific ethnic group.

“One time I engaged an old lady and she told me she would not engage with someone from your tribe. She said my vote is for Kikuyus not for anyone else.” Ms Kasina points out.

Despite the obstacles pointed out by women in politics, they have learned how to navigate the world of politics and make strides in political change even though they did not succeed after the campaigns.

Through her involvement in politics from 2013 to date Malasen has been able to understand the electorates’ way of thinking and fully understand their needs and preferences.
“My experience during the campaigns in 2022 was very good because I have known Kibera to the level that I understand the challenges of the people and how they live through politics here because it is home.”

The country has also come up with policies that have encouraged and contributed to the increase in the number of women participating in active politics. A local political analyst Javas Bigambo speaks and points out some of the policies.

“The conscious, perpetual and sustained push for inclusivity and equality and equal opportunity for all is a campaign that arguably can be said to be achieving so much success or dividends on the political front.”

“Comparatively when you look at every successful cycle of the election, we have had more women participating in nominations within political parties more women being cleared to run for political offices beyond the constitutionally safeguarded position of women representatives.”

“The import of Article 38 of the Constitution on the right for political participation by everyone has also served to encourage the inclusion of women and their participation in political affairs,” Mr Bigambo states.

A report by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) showed an increase in the number of women who vied for electoral positions in the country. The August 2022 general election witnessed a positive shift in political participation and representation of women. Female candidates made up an estimated 11 per cent of the total number of candidates gazetted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The 2022 election also recorded an increment in the number of women vying for elective positions, which ultimately resulted in an increased number of women successfully elected. For instance, the number of female gubernatorial candidates increased from nine in 2017 to 22 in 2022. Out of these 22, seven women were elected as County Governors, representing a 32 per cent success rate.

This encouraging trend has been spurred by the affirmative action seats provided for in the Constitution of Kenya 2010, specifically Article 97, 1 (b), Article 98, 1(b), and the requirement for Parliament to enact legislation to promote the representation of women in Parliament as stipulated in Article 100, (b) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

On September 27, 2022, President William Ruto unveiled his new Cabinet, which comprises seven women Cabinet Secretary nominees out of 22, representing 32 per cent of the cabinet. The President also appointed three other women to the Executive, including the Advisor on National Security, the Advisor on Women’s Rights and Agency, and the Secretary to the Cabinet, bringing the representation of women in the Executive to 39 per cent. This is an improvement from the 2017 Cabinet, which had a 30 per cent representation of women.

However, despite progress noted following the 2022 elections, women’s representation in the National Assembly and the Cabinet still fails to meet the Constitutional two-thirds gender requirement for elective and appointive positions. But as a country will we be able to attain the two-thirds gender rule with the provisions in the constitution?

“I believe with the upcoming task force that was formed from the Gender Ministry on how to propose ideas on how best the two-thirds gender rule can be attained in the National Assembly.” “The only challenge with attaining the two-third gender rule is only implementation,” states Malasen.

“The Political Parties Act specifies the need to have gender representation in party organs, especially in governing bodies. For example, the Thirdway Alliance Kenya constitution demands that the National Executive Committee which is the governing body of the party shall have 2/3 gender representation. This cascades down to other organs of the party.” Andrew Njoroge Executive Director- Thirdway Alliance.

The High Court 2017, in what is now famously called “The Katiba Ruling” ordered that the Independent and Electoral Commission reject any nomination list for members of the National Assembly and Senate that does not comply with the two-third gender principle. This ruling has had very far-reaching effects. It has motivated more women to go for more positions that were otherwise seen as a preserve of men.

“For equality in politics to be fully attained we need to start with full enactment of the Katiba ruling. Its enforcement within the political parties and constant sensitisation on the need to have more women on the ballot boxes either via political parties or independent candidates.” Mr Njoroge points out.

“It might also be the long-lost solution to seeing a woman rise to the highest office in the land having ridden on the overwhelming support of her fellow women and gender-conscious male voters.” Mr Njoroge.

A report by UN Women states that as of 1 January 2023, there are 31 countries where 34 women serve as Heads of State and or Government. At the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years.

First-time compiled data by UN Women show that women represent 22.8 per cent of cabinet members heading ministries, leading a policy area as of 1 January 2023. There are only 13 countries in which women hold 50 per cent or more of the positions of cabinet ministers leading policy areas.

While most countries in the world have not achieved gender parity, gender quotas have substantially contributed to progress over the years. In countries with legislated candidate quotas, women’s representation is five percentage points and seven percentage points higher in parliaments and local government, respectively, compared to countries without such legislation according to UN Women Report.

With the statistics and data available on the percentage of women in politics, there is a need for the female electorate and stakeholders in the political and religious caucus to come out in support of each other. This will improve and encourage young women in society to become more involved in civic participation and politics.

This story is part of the African Women in Media (AWiM)/ Luminate Young Women in Politics Programme.