Misinformation and disinformation threaten to unravel decades of progress for women in Kenya, especially in politics.
The narrative that women’s empowerment is on an unstoppable upward trajectory is dangerously naive. By 2030, these twin evils could cripple advancements in women’s political participation, leaving Kenya’s democracy weaker and less inclusive.
Urgent, bold action is needed now to protect women and secure their rightful place in the nation’s future.
Kenya’s battle with disinformation is already fierce. The 2022 elections saw a flood of fake news—manipulated videos, false endorsements, and wild conspiracies—designed to confuse voters and smear reputations. Social media, a space where ideas should flourish, has instead become a weapon for political sabotage.
For women, the attack is personal and relentless. Gendered disinformation—lies and distortions laced with sexist venom—targets them with online harassment, doctored images, and vicious name-calling. The UN Women’s Pambana! report lays it bare: these tactics aim to shred women’s credibility and scare them out of public life.
The data backs this up. Women hold just 24.8 percent of elected seats in Kenya’s National Assembly and Senate—a hard-won gain. Yet, every step forward is met with digital mudslinging meant to drag them back.
This isn’t random noise; it is a calculated assault rooted in patriarchy. Globally, autocrats wield gendered disinformation to silence critics and cling to power, and Kenya is no exception. Politicians here use it to tarnish rivals, settle scores, and keep women on the margins.
By 2030, this crisis will deepen. Artificial intelligence (AI) is turbocharging disinformation, churning out deepfakes and slick lies that blur reality.
Imagine a future where a female candidate’s every word is twisted into a viral falsehood, her face plastered on fake scandals, her voice drowned by algorithmic hate. The psychological toll will be crushing.
Young women, watching this carnage, may decide politics isn’t worth the pain. If they opt out, the dream of gender parity—codified in Kenya’s two-thirds gender rule—will fade. Progress isn’t guaranteed; it is fragile, and misinformation could break it.
This challenges the cozy assumption that time alone will lift women up. Without action, the digital age risks becoming a setback, not a springboard.
By the 2027 elections, unchecked disinformation could slash women’s political gains, leaving Kenya with fewer female voices at a time when they are desperately needed. The stakes are sky-high: a democracy without women’s full participation isn’t a democracy at all.
Instead of relying solely on legal measures, which can be slow and difficult to enforce, we must empower women and communities to fight misinformation at its roots.
Widespread media literacy programmes are key—teaching Kenyans, especially women, how to spot lies, question sources, and think critically.
Schools, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and tech platforms can roll out simple, accessible training that turns every citizen into a disinformation detective. At the same time, let’s back women-led initiatives that champion truth. Fund female journalists, bloggers, and fact-checkers who can flood the digital space with credible stories and hard facts.
And don’t forget technology: Kenya’s mobile-savvy population is ripe for apps that make fact-checking easy. Imagine a tool where users can verify claims or flag fake news with a tap—built through partnerships between government, tech firms, and civil society.
These steps won’t just slow disinformation; they’ll create a culture that values truth and critical thinking. That’s how we protect women’s progress—by making every Kenyan a guardian of facts.
Finally, amplify women’s voices. Every story of a woman thriving despite the digital gauntlet chips away at the stereotypes fuelling this mess. Normalise women in power, and the lies lose their sting.
The clock is ticking. By 2030, misinformation could steal a generation of Kenyan women leaders – or we could stop it. International Women’s Day celebration isn’t enough. We need action — bold, smart, and immediate. Equip women to fight lies. Hold platforms and perpetrators accountable. Build a system that values truth. Kenya’s future - its democracy, its promise - hangs on it.
Let’s accelerate now, before the silence wins.
Edward Kipkalya is a Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Officer at Emerging Leaders Foundation – Africa. @Edward_Kalya
