Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has spoken out strongly on the sexual harassment allegations facing the United Green Movement (UGM), saying the case reflects a wider pattern of gender-based abuse embedded within Kenya’s political party structures.
Her comments come after a former UGM campaign staffer accused a senior party official of sexual harassment, triggering internal investigations within the party.
UGM has, however, denied the claims, stating that its internal committee reviewed the matter and found no evidence to support the allegations.
While the party insists due process was followed, the controversy has reignited debate over how political organisations handle complaints of sexual and gender-based violence.
Maina said the issue goes beyond one party, arguing that political formations in Kenya are structurally weak when it comes to protecting women from exploitation and abuse.
She described party environments as spaces where informal power networks often override formal safeguards, leaving women exposed and without effective recourse.
“In general terms, political parties in Kenya have very weak SGBV intervention mechanisms. These are spaces where women are often exposed to exploitation and harassment,” she said.
Maina further argued that despite constitutional and legal gains on gender equality, real power within political parties remains concentrated in male-dominated leadership structures.
She pointed out that key decision-making roles—such as party leadership, elections management, and legal affairs—are largely controlled by men, shaping how internal disputes are handled.
“Society is not gender neutral. Even with progress on gender equality, structural inequalities still define our institutions,” she said.
According to her, this imbalance creates an environment where women are often forced into silence, especially when speaking out risks career setbacks or political isolation.
Maina described what she termed as an unspoken rule within party politics: compliance is rewarded, while resistance can come at a cost.
“It is an unwritten rule that you either remain silent and benefit, or speak up and be replaced with someone seen as more compliant,” she said.
Recalling her early entry into politics, Maina said she first vied for elective office at the age of 23 and quickly encountered what she described as entrenched gender bias.
She shared an experience in which she was advised to use her appearance to gain access to influential political figures, a suggestion she rejected outright.
“I was told to wear a short skirt because he liked girls and their yellow thighs. I refused,” she said.
Maina added that her upbringing shaped her response to such experiences, saying she was taught to rely on intellect and discipline rather than appearance to navigate professional spaces.
She noted that women in politics continue to face pressure to conform to expectations set within male-dominated systems, while those who resist are often sidelined or denied opportunities.
Maina also raised concerns about the impact of power imbalances on consent, arguing that political influence can distort voluntary decision-making.
Where nominations, appointments, or job opportunities are involved, she said, women may find themselves navigating environments where refusal carries professional consequences.
“In situations where there is significant power imbalance, it raises serious questions about the validity of consent,” she said.
She called on political parties to urgently strengthen internal safeguards against sexual and gender-based violence, warning that failure to act leaves women vulnerable and undermines their participation in leadership.
Maina said responsibility ultimately lies with party leadership, regardless of whether they are directly involved in alleged incidents.
“The responsibility rests with party leaders. They must ensure strong systems that protect women and prevent further victimisation,” she said.