Gender Bias and Disinformation Target Women Politicians in Kenya

Kenyan women in political leadership face systematic undermining of their qualifications and competence through gender-based attacks, according to recent research published in The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs and Policy Studies.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Cape Town, University of Sheffield, and Stellenbosch University, reveals that critics of Kenya’s constitutional two-thirds gender provision frequently dismiss women nominated through affirmative action as merely “politician’s wives, girlfriends, and mistresses.” This rhetoric feeds into allegations that women are selected as proxies for male political figures rather than on their own merit.

“Women politicians are often labeled as ‘slay queens’ or ‘socialites,’ implying their political ascent is rooted in personal relationships with powerful men rather than competence,” noted one researcher interviewed for the study. These attacks typically focus on women’s bodies and personal relationships rather than their policy proposals or political ideas.

The research highlights a troubling double standard in how women politicians are judged. When implicated in wrongdoing, women face disproportionately harsh backlash compared to their male counterparts. “When male politicians steal or cheat, it does not provoke the same level of moral outrage,” explained one interviewee.

This gendered disinformation extends beyond electoral politics, affecting women in leadership positions across various sectors. Whenever women share expertise or opinions in public forums, their qualifications are immediately questioned, particularly when they outperform male counterparts.

A representative from a Kenyan fact-checking organization emphasized that such dismissals serve as powerful deterrents to women’s participation in political life. The digital landscape has amplified these challenges, with social media becoming a primary battleground for gendered attacks.

A concrete example occurred in February 2025, when a fake graphic circulated on social media featuring Igembe North Member of Parliament Julius Taitumu. The image included a fabricated quote falsely attributed to Taitumu, criticizing Chief Justice Martha Koome’s appointment and claiming that “many male judges” were more qualified. Fact-checkers debunked the graphic but noted how it reinforced gender bias by suggesting Koome was unfit for high office based solely on her gender.

The psychological impact of these attacks is profound. Women politicians often reduce or entirely withdraw from social media engagement, particularly those running public campaigns. Fear of harassment has led to self-censorship, with women avoiding certain topics and gravitating toward safer, less controversial content. Some even decline media interviews or public appearances due to the risk of misrepresentation that could trigger further attacks.

This pattern of harassment exists at both national and county levels of government, creating significant barriers to women’s equal participation in Kenyan politics. The research incorporated perspectives from a diverse range of experts, including fact-checkers, investigative journalists, digital rights advocates, and staff members from NGOs focused on women’s empowerment and digital equity.

The findings come at a critical time for Kenya’s democratic landscape as the country continues to implement its constitutional gender provisions. While the two-thirds gender rule aims to increase women’s representation in government, the prevalence of gendered disinformation threatens to undermine these gains by discouraging women from seeking or maintaining public office.

As digital platforms continue to play an increasingly central role in political discourse, addressing gendered disinformation presents a significant challenge for Kenya’s democratic institutions, media organizations, and civil society groups committed to gender equality in political representation.