Meru Political Sisters Convention demands 14 women MCAs in next election
Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza when she appeared before the Senate Committee on January 28, 2025. Her ouster was the last straw for Meru's women politicians.
What you need to know:
- Women politicians in Meru County have launched a campaign to boost female representation.
- The Political Sisters Convention identified patriarchy and political party barriers as key obstacles, noting only one woman has been elected to a non-affirmative parliamentary seat since independence.
Women politicians in Meru County have launched an ambitious campaign aimed at significantly increasing the number of elected women leaders in the next general election, while also pushing for crucial amendments to election laws.
The campaign comes at a critical time for women's political representation in the county, where statistics paint a concerning picture. Since Kenya's independence, only one woman has been elected to a non-affirmative parliamentary seat, with Kawira Mwangaza's 2022 election as Meru governor setting a historic precedent.
The numbers at the county level tell an equally troubling story. Since the inception of devolution, just 10 women have been elected to the county assembly, with representation actually declining from five in 2013 to a single elected female Member of County Assembly (MCA) in 2022.
Two-thirds representation
Speaking at the inaugural Meru Political Sisters Convention, North Imenti politician Carol Muriuki outlined the movement's ambitious goal of ensuring at least two-thirds of all elective seats are occupied by women.
"The convention brings together women who have vied for political seats and those who intend to contest in future. We are rolling out civic education initiatives across the county to encourage the people of Meru to elect women who offer themselves," said Carol, who serves as patron of the inaugural convention.
The meeting was strategically timed to address women's place in political leadership following the recent ouster of Governor Mwangaza and the declining number of elected female MCAs in Meru.
Key barriers
According to Esther Karimi, a politician eyeing the Kangeta Ward representative seat, the convention identified three major obstacles facing women in Meru politics: social-cultural impediments, political party barriers, and entrenched patriarchy.
"We have taken stock of women leadership in Meru and established a common trend on hindrances that must be dealt with. When Annarita Karimi Njeru was elected Meru Central MP in 1975, she was hounded out of office after two years. This has recurred 50 years later after the ouster of Kawira Mwangaza from the office of governor. Overall, women are doing badly in elective politics," Esther observed.
She particularly criticised political parties for undermining women's leadership by "recycling perennial women nominees," especially in county assemblies.
"We will be educating the public to ensure there is a level playing ground for both male and female political aspirants. The entrenched patriarchy is also promoted by fellow women who declare that 'I can't be led by a woman'. Political parties should help nurture women politicians and not encouraging perennial nominations," she explained.
A key component of the campaign involves pushing for amendments to election laws that would allow women who contest elective positions to also be considered for nomination to special seats—a change advocates believe could dramatically increase female participation.
"The challenge we have is that very few women go to the ballot because special seats go to those who do not vie. If we have many women on the ballot, there are higher chances of being elected," said Esther, a former nominated MCA.
Building sisterhood
Felicity Biriri, who is seeking the Meru Woman Representative seat, emphasized that half the population continues to be excluded from key decision-making positions due to electoral biases.
"As women, we are ready to help each other raise the resources needed for campaigns. It is vital for our people to understand that women also make good leaders," Felicity stated.
The convention concluded with a resolution to fight for the election of at least 14 Members of County Assembly and three Members of Parliament in Meru County—a significant jump from current representation levels.
This target is particularly ambitious given that Meru County has 45 County Assembly wards and nine constituencies, with only one elected female MCA in the current electoral cycle.