Women Leaders Resolve to Unite Behind Two-Thirds Gender Rule Ahead of 2027 Elections

Story by Violet Kerubo & Monyonge O’kebati

Women leaders in Kenya have resolved to strengthen collective action, build strategic political coalitions and mobilize more women to contest elective positions in the 2027 General Election, in a renewed push for gender equality and inclusive representation in leadership.
The resolutions were adopted during a High-Level Women Leaders Meeting held at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi County on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The meeting, convened by the G7 Women Governors Caucus in partnership with UN Women under the theme “Catalyzing Women’s Leadership for 2027 and Beyond,” provided a strategic platform for women leaders to reflect on Kenya’s leadership landscape, strengthen collaboration and chart a unified path towards greater representation and influence in the next General Election and beyond.
The gathering sought to develop a common strategy for advancing women’s leadership and enable women leaders to speak with one voice on issues affecting their participation in governance and decision-making.
In a joint declaration, the women leaders outlined nine resolutions aimed at strengthening women’s political participation, advancing the implementation of the constitutional two-thirds gender rule and ensuring that aspiring women leaders receive the support needed to compete effectively in the 2027 elections.
Women leaders commit to a unified agenda
The leaders resolved to be more deliberate in advancing their collective agenda, pledging to establish more platforms and forums through which women can amplify their voices, agency and influence for the benefit of all women in Kenya.
They said stronger coordination would be essential in addressing the challenges that continue to affect women’s representation in elective and appointive leadership positions.
The meeting also committed to building strategic coalitions to push for the enactment of legislation intended to operationalize the two-thirds gender principle, which seeks to ensure that no more than two-thirds of members of elective or appointive bodies are of the same gender.
The leaders identified the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill, 2025, National Assembly Bill No. 29 of 2025, and the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill No. 2 of 2025, Senate Bill No. 16 of 2025, as legislative measures requiring concerted support to advance gender equality in representation.
They expressed the need to ensure that the legislation becomes law and that the two-thirds gender principle is realized before the 2027 General Election.
Call for more women in elective positions
The women leaders called on Kenyan women to come forward in greater numbers and vie for all elective positions in the 2027 General Election.
They urged women to demonstrate courage and determination in seeking political office, saying increased participation would be critical to achieving the constitutional threshold for gender representation.
The declaration further emphasized the need to mobilize women into decision-making spaces and ensure they are represented at the highest levels of leadership.
The leaders said women’s participation should extend beyond political representation to meaningful influence over policies, institutions and decisions affecting the country’s development.
Nationwide mentorship programme planned
To strengthen the preparedness of women seeking political office, the G7 Women Governors Caucus, working together with the County Assemblies Forum and the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association, will lead a nationwide structured mentorship and peer-learning campaign.
The initiative is expected to equip both aspiring and incumbent women leaders with the knowledge, skills and support required for effective participation in the 2027 General Election.
Through mentorship and peer learning, the campaign will seek to strengthen leadership capacity, promote the exchange of experiences and help women navigate the political and electoral processes.
The leaders also resolved to engage political parties to secure commitments to support women during party nomination processes and in efforts to ensure women candidates receive the backing necessary to compete successfully.
They stressed that political parties have an important role to play in creating fairer nomination processes and expanding opportunities for women to secure elective positions.
No aspiring woman leader should be left behind
The declaration called for stronger solidarity and coordinated support for all women seeking leadership positions, emphasizing that no aspiring woman leader should be left behind.
The leaders pledged to mobilize support around a shared women’s leadership agenda, with the aim of building a stronger and more inclusive political environment.
They further committed to what they described as “radical solidarity” to advance women’s leadership, not only in the 2027 elections but also for generations to come.
The commitment signals an intention to sustain collaboration beyond a single election cycle and establish a lasting foundation for women’s political empowerment.
Registrar of Political Parties urged to enforce gender rule
The women leaders called on the Registrar of Political Parties to ensure that political party lists comply with the two-thirds gender rule.
They also urged the Registrar to make public the nomination rules submitted by various political parties to promote transparency and accountability in the nomination process.
The leaders said clear and accessible party nomination rules would help women candidates understand the requirements for seeking party tickets and strengthen accountability in the selection of candidates.
They called for greater institutional support to ensure that gender equality commitments are reflected in political party practices and electoral processes.
Electoral stakeholders urged to protect women’s participation
The meeting also appealed to key electoral stakeholders, including the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), political parties, security agencies and other relevant institutions, to work collaboratively to remove barriers to women’s participation.
The leaders called for stronger measures to prevent violence against women in politics, uphold constitutional provisions on inclusive representation and guarantee a meaningful and safe environment for women’s equal participation in the electoral process.
They emphasized that women must be able to participate in political activities without intimidation, discrimination or violence.
The declaration underscored the responsibility of electoral institutions, political parties and security agencies to help create conditions in which women can compete fairly and exercise their democratic rights.
A renewed push for women’s leadership
The resolutions mark a renewed call for unity among women leaders as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election.
By prioritizing collective action, legislative reforms, mentorship, fair nominations and protection from political violence, the leaders said they intend to strengthen women’s representation and influence across the country’s political institutions.
The meeting concluded with a rallying call for women to remain united in pursuing their shared aspirations.
“Women, we must stand together or be hanged separately,” the declaration stated, emphasizing the importance of solidarity in overcoming barriers to women’s leadership.
The leaders called for sustained cooperation among women, political parties and electoral institutions to turn commitments on gender equality into tangible progress in the 2027 elections and beyond.