Ford Kenya begins 2027 campaign, urges more women to contest top seats
By Viola Kosome and Kepher Otieno, July 17, 2026Ford Kenya women leaders from the Nyanza region have launched an early mobilisation drive ahead of the 2027 General Election, calling on more women to come out in large numbers and vie for elective positions while condemning political violence that they say continues to undermine democracy.
Speaking on Friday, July 17, 2026, during a regional women’s meeting that brought together delegates from Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Migori, Vihiga, Busia and Kakamega counties, Ford Kenya Deputy Party Leader Millicent Abudho said the meeting was aimed at strengthening the party from the grassroots and increasing women’s participation in leadership.
Abudho said the women leaders had resolved to return to their respective counties to intensify grassroots mobilisation, recruit more members into the party and encourage more women to seek elective positions ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We are here to chart our way forward as Ford Kenya women and to see how we can strengthen the party from the grassroots. Our mission is to organise women and ensure the party remains strong across the region,” she said.
Ford Kenya urges women to contest elective positions
The leaders appealed to women across the country to come out in large numbers and contest elective positions, saying increased participation is essential to achieving gender equality in leadership.
They urged aspiring candidates to begin preparing early for seats ranging from Member of County Assembly and Member of Parliament to Senator, Governor and President, noting that early organisation improves their chances of success.
Kisumu violence
The leaders also condemned the recent violence witnessed in Kisumu County, saying political differences should never result in loss of lives or destruction of property.
Abudho urged political leaders to refrain from inciting young people into violence, noting that many unemployed youths were being exploited for political interests.
“As women, we do not want to see violence because it takes us nowhere. Politics will always be there, but life is precious. We appeal to our youth not to allow themselves to be misused by leaders pursuing selfish interests,” she said.
She called on President William Ruto to revive the Kazi Mtaani programme, arguing that creating employment opportunities for young people would help reduce their vulnerability to political manipulation.
“The youths involved in hooliganism are largely idle. If the government restores Kazi Mtaani, many of them will have meaningful work instead of being used to cause chaos,” she added.
Ford Kenya Women President Maureen Nasirumbi said the party had started preparing women aspiring for various elective seats long before the official campaign period to improve their chances of success.
She said Ford Kenya was committed to empowering women through supportive policies and structures that would enable them to compete fairly during party nominations and the general election.
Nasirumbi further appealed to the government to strengthen security measures to protect women from political violence, which she said continues to discourage many capable women from seeking elective office.
She also challenged women leaders to support one another in order to safeguard the gains already made in women’s representation while expanding the number of women elected into leadership positions.
Ford Kenya Director of Elections Hadija Mustafa said the party was intentionally supporting women candidates to bridge the gender gap in elective leadership while continuing to field qualified male candidates.
She urged Kenyans to have confidence in women leaders, saying women had consistently demonstrated their ability to provide effective leadership and quality public service.
Mustafa challenged women already serving in elective positions to remain exemplary leaders whose performance would inspire greater public confidence and encourage more women to seek leadership positions.
She warned that Ford Kenya would not tolerate any form of violence against women aspirants during party nominations or the 2027 General Election and said the party was putting in place measures to protect female candidates throughout the electoral process.
Mustafa also called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to strengthen electoral regulations and protections that will guarantee women can participate in elections freely, safely and without intimidation.