The high cost of political ambition: Why money is shutting women out of 2027 election

Dr. Juliet Kimemiah, a female candidate in Kenya's 2027 election, has expressed concern over the high financial barrier to entry in politics. She describes the campaign financing limits imposed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission as "humongous," and explains that these costs can be devastating for candidates, even those who secure party support.

Kimemiah, who ran for the Kiambu senatorial seat in 2017 and the governorship in 2022, is again campaigning for the Kiambu county governorship in 2027 on a Kanu ticket. Despite not having the financial resources of her male competitors, who reportedly spent over Sh300 million, she secured the party's nomination without paying the Sh1 million nomination fee. She attributes her ability to compete to support from political parties, women's rights organizations, the church, and the media.

However, security costs are unavoidable for any political candidate. Kimemiah had to cover the cost of her security detail, a necessary expense in Kenya's political landscape. The high financial barriers to entry are particularly pronounced in counties with large gender gaps in education and employment opportunities for women, such as Kiambu and Kajiado.

While some counties have lower rates of young women outside education, employment, or training, others, like Garissa and Turkana, have much higher rates, indicating the stark economic disparities in different parts of the country.