Meet Five Change Leaders Who are Influencing Gender Policy in Kenya

Recent news reports reveal a troubling rise in violence against women and girls in Kenya. Since September 2023, over 7,100 cases of gender-based violence have been reported, including nearly 100 documented murders of women since August 2024.

Beyond GBV, women in Kenya continue to face harmful cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), lack of equal access to public health and education, and deeply rooted stereotypes and taboos. Meanwhile, several women leaders are actively campaigning to address these issues, striving for a future where women in Kenya can live with dignity and equal opportunities.

On International Women’s Day, we spotlight five Nguvu change leaders, representing various counties in Kenya and their efforts toward social justice.

1. Josephine Mwende, Nairobi County

Josephine Mwende, a mother with cerebral palsy, is committed to transforming the exclusionary caregiving culture in Nairobi County hospitals. As the founder and CEO of AbleRise Africa Society, a community-based organisation, she leverages digital platforms to challenge myths and misconceptions about persons with disabilities while advocating for their rights through discussions, interviews and awareness campaigns.

To push for systemic change, she has launched an online petition addressed to the Ministry of Health, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Governor of Nairobi County, demanding equitable maternal healthcare for all women, regardless of their abilities. She also advocates for a toll-free hotline, dedicated consultation rooms and awareness programs to ensure inclusive healthcare for women with disabilities.

2. Naomy Kelai Kolian, Narok County

Despite international organisations like WHO declaring female genital mutilation (FGM) a violation of human rights, the practice persists in many African countries, including Kenya. Naomy Kolian, a survivor of FGM, saw her dreams of pursuing education and athletics shattered by this harmful tradition. Coming from the Maasai community, she has become a global activist, collaborating with leaders worldwide to end FGM.

Naomy’s approach involves mobilising community members to actively participate in the fight against FGM. By building a network of whistleblowers and engaging local leaders, she’s been fostering a sense of collective responsibility. She has also launched an online petition urging the Directorate of Children Services to enforce stricter laws, expand awareness campaigns, and establish stronger support systems for survivors. Her advocacy aligns with global initiatives like the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme, which operates in 17 countries to eliminate FGM through community engagement and policy reforms.

3. Selina Nkoile, Kajiado County

Although education is essential, it remains a distant dream for many girls, especially among marginalised communities in Kenya. In Maasai communities, where FGM remains deeply entrenched, Selina Nkoile is tackling the practice and promoting eduction from an economic perspective. Because of extreme poverty, many FGM cutters do it because it is their primary source of income. This situation also prevents Maasai families from affording school-related costs, denying countless girls access to education. As a result, they are subjected to child marriage and missed opportunities which deepens the cycle of poverty.

Through her Nashipai Maasai Community initiative, Selina has been training former FGM cutters in permaculture and sustainable farming, providing them with alternative sources of income. By teaching these women how to grow and market their own food, she offers a path out of financial dependence on FGM-related practices. Additionally, she started an online campaign that aims to green 100 Maasai schools, reducing education costs by 50 per cent through gardens that provide nutritious meals for students. She believes that if actualised, the initiative will address hunger and malnutrition, thereby contributing to increased enrollment and retention that will protect girls from falling victim to harmful practices like FGM and child marriage.

4. Mercy Mwende, Meru County

Amidst efforts to bridge the gender gap across sectors in Kenya, Mercy Mwende’s own experience revealed to her, deep-rooted gender biases that limit opportunities for girls, particularly in education and training. This issue is particularly important in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as these fields are shaping the future job market. Mercy repeatedly faced rejection for internships solely because of her gender, while her male counterparts secured placements with ease.

Determined to challenge this discrimination, she is pushing for youth inclusion and urging authorities to implement systemic reforms. Through her online petition, Mercy calls on the Ministry of Gender, the Ministry of Labour, the National Assembly, and the Public Service Board to establish a fully funded board dedicated to expanding internship and employment opportunities for women and girls in STEM across Kenya.

5. Valerie Aura, Kisumu County

Valerie Aura, a journalist, communication strategist, linguist, writer, humanitarian, activist, and environmentalist, is also a domestic violence survivor committed to building a just and fair society in Kenya. She believes that survivors of GBV need safe spaces to heal and rebuild their lives. Concerned about the rising GBV cases, she has launched an online petition urging the government to establish shelters that offer protection and support. She says that the conversation about establishing proper safe houses has been ongoing since 2014. Though three buildings were commissioned for this purpose by the county government, none have been completed to date. Her petition also calls on the Kisumu County government to complete and equip the three safe houses that were commissioned earlier, ensuring survivors have a secure place to recover and move forward.