IEBC Commissioner Nderitu urges parties to field more women, youth and PWD candidates in 2027

IEBC Commissioner Dr Ann Nderitu has called on political parties to field a higher number of women, young people, and persons with disabilities in the 2027 General Election. In an interview on Sunday night, August 23, 2026, Nderitu emphasized the importance of inclusive candidate lists for broader representation on the ballot. She reiterated that political parties must comply with the two-thirds gender principle when submitting their candidate lists, as mandated by a legal ruling from the 2022 General Election.

Nderitu suggested that the commission would work with Parliament to strengthen the implementation of this requirement and make it clearer. She urged political parties to take proactive steps to increase the number of women running for elective positions, as women constitute more than half of Kenya's population but are still significantly under-represented in political leadership.

Nderitu encouraged parties to consider young people, who make up over 70% of Kenya's population, and persons with disabilities as potential candidates. She noted that these groups have the capacity to provide leadership at various levels. The IEBC Commissioner outlined the key timelines for the 2027 electoral process, stating that political parties will submit lists of aspirants before their primaries, followed by the candidates' gazetting before the IEBC nomination stage.

The push for inclusive candidate lists raises concerns about whether representation will lead to genuine electoral opportunities for marginalized groups. The upcoming election will determine whether parties can move beyond numerical inclusion and provide marginalized groups with a realistic path to political leadership.