There’s been a growing murmur especially on social media about whether we need Women Reps in Kenya anymore. The critiques are loud, “What do they even do?” “They’ve failed women.” “Scrap the seat!”
And yes, we get the frustration. Kenyan women are being killed, assaulted, dismissed, and economically sidelined. The urgency is real. But here’s the truth: dismantling one of the few constitutionally protected seats for women in national governance isn’t the radical solution we think it is. Let’s talk about what’s actually at stake.
The Woman Representative position exists for a reason. It was introduced in the 2010 Constitution as an affirmative action measure to correct decades of political exclusion. Every one of Kenya’s 47 counties elects a woman to the National Assembly. That’s 47 women guaranteed a seat in Parliament. These seats were a starting point toward fulfilling the two-thirds gender rule, a constitutional requirement that no more than two-thirds of elective or appointive bodies be of the same gender. We’ve never met this threshold. Not even once.
So before we shout “scrap the seat,” let’s ask ourselves what happens when we remove one of the few mechanisms we have that ensures women are even present in the room?
Let’s start by clearing up a dangerous misconception that Women Reps are only there to “handle women’s issues.” They’re full Members of Parliament. That means they debate national bills, push policy, and hold the government accountable, just like every other MP.
The problem is, we expect Women Reps to perform miracles. To end femicide, fix unemployment, reform reproductive healthcare, and somehow remain hyper-visible and loud, all while operating with less money and influence than their male counterparts. When they don’t meet these unrealistic expectations, we complain and call for the entire role to be dissolved.
We’re holding them accountable, yes, but are we being fair? Or are we just repeating the age-old pattern of punishing women in leadership for the failures of the entire system? In a country where women make up over 50% of the population, but only around 23% of Parliament, representation matters. It shapes the policies that get passed, the priorities that get funded, and the stories that get told in the national narrative.
Do some Women Reps underperform? Sure. Just like many male MPs do. The solution is to hold them accountable, vote them out if necessary, but not to eliminate the position altogether. If anything, we need more Women Reps, more gender quotas, and more radical pathways for women, especially from marginalized backgrounds, to enter leadership.
Critiquing power is important, but let’s not confuse systemic disappointment with the need to undo gains women have fought for. A call to action should not lead to erasure.
Instead of scrapping the Woman Rep seat, let’s demand better performance and transparency from those elected, push for the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule across all levels of government, educate ourselves and others on the actual mandate of Women Reps, and support women-led movements, candidates, and community organisers doing the real work on the ground.
Women Representatives are not the enemy. They’re part of the architecture we need to build a more just and equal Kenya. So no, let’s not scrap the seat, but strengthen it.
