By Jameson
Women leaders have called for urgent action to address rising insecurity, challenges in the education sector and the growing burden of gender based violence, warning that the safety of women and children remains central to Kenya’s stability.
Speaking during a media briefing on Friday in Nairobi, the Echo Network Africa Foundation, the African Women Leadership Network Kenya Chapter and the Democracy Trust Fund said recent incidents of violence and disorder signal a worrying breakdown of civility and respect for the rule of law.
The leaders condemned escalating insecurity across the country, citing incidents in which places of worship have come under attack. They said such actions evoke painful memories of past unrest and disproportionately harm vulnerable groups, including women, children and persons with disabilities.
“Places of worship are sacred and must be respected at all times,” the statement, signed by Dr Jennifer Riria, Chairperson of the African Women Leadership Network Kenya Chapter, read, adding that attacks on such spaces represent a serious erosion of social values. The leaders urged law enforcement agencies, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to act with greater vigilance and ensure perpetrators are held accountable in line with the law.
They also expressed concern over what they described as rising verbal hostility among political leaders, referencing recent public exchanges involving Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Principal Secretary Bitok. The women called on leaders to model respectful dialogue, saying public confrontations set a poor example for younger generations.
On education, the groups raised alarm over the implementation of the Competency Based Education system, pointing to low transition rates from junior to senior school, confusion in placement processes and the high cost of education. They warned that these challenges risk making education inaccessible for many families and widening social inequality.
The women called on the government to consolidate bursaries into a single fund to address financial and infrastructural gaps in the sector. They also urged faster teacher retraining, improved infrastructure and measures to ease the financial burden on parents, including reducing the cost of school uniforms.
While commending President William Ruto’s directive to ensure 100 percent transition from Grade 9 to Grade 10, the leaders noted that many students from disadvantaged backgrounds have yet to report to school. They called for urgent interventions to ensure no child is left behind.
The statement highlighted acts of community support, including women traders at Kiboi Market in Kisii County who raised more than Sh80,000 to educate an orphaned girl, as well as police officers in Nandi County who supported a similar cause. The leaders said these efforts demonstrate resilience and solidarity among Kenyans.
On gender based violence, the women welcomed the report of the Presidential Technical Working Group on Gender Based Violence led by Dr Nancy Baraza and backed its recommendation to declare GBV a national disaster. They praised the government for prioritizing the issue and appointing a dedicated team to develop policy recommendations.
The groups urged the President to personally lead national efforts to combat gender based violence and pledged their support in ensuring the safety of women and girls.
They committed to promoting safe spaces for intergenerational dialogue, supporting national security initiatives and advocating for the full implementation of recommendations made by the technical working group, including addressing technology facilitated violence.
“A safe and growing Kenya is good for all,” the statement concluded, urging leaders and citizens alike to play their part in safeguarding peace and stability.
