Martha Karua has accused major political parties in Kenya of systematically sidelining women from leadership positions by denying them fair opportunities to contest competitive seats.
Speaking on the night of Sunday, March 8, 2026, during an interview with a local television station, the leader of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) said many parties routinely pressure women aspirants to withdraw their candidacies in favour of male contenders during party nominations.
“I have seen major parties telling women to step aside and let their brothers, the men, take positions,” Karua said.
Women Placed in Unwinnable Seats
According to Karua, the marginalisation does not end with nomination processes. She claimed that even when women are allowed to run for elective positions, they are frequently assigned constituencies or counties where their parties have little political influence.
This, she argued, significantly reduces the chances of women winning elections and reinforces male dominance in political leadership.
Call for Fair Political Participation
Karua emphasised the need for political parties to genuinely support female candidates and provide equal opportunities during nominations and campaigns.
Her remarks come amid ongoing national conversations about gender equality in politics, with advocates pushing for stronger implementation of policies that promote women’s participation in leadership.
Despite constitutional provisions encouraging gender balance in governance, women in Kenya continue to face structural and political barriers in their quest for elective positions.
