Women aspiring to political leadership in Isiolo have engaged Councils of Elders and community leaders on barriers to women’s participation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Commission participated in the Empowering Women in Leadership and Electoral Governance forum, which examined the influence of traditional governance structures and negotiated democracy on political participation.
Participants identified challenges including patriarchal norms, clan-based decision-making, unequal access to campaign financing, political intimidation and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence.
The discussion also highlighted the important role Councils of Elders can play in promoting inclusive leadership by encouraging communities to assess candidates on leadership qualities and supporting peaceful, issue-based politics.
For the Commission, increasing women’s participation in leadership is central to ensuring that decision-making reflects the diversity of Kenyan society
