Whitney Mwenje
Kenya
In September 2018, an extraordinary act of generosity reshaped my path. A professor, who hardly knew me, rallied to raise half a million Kenyan shillings to clear my first-year medical school fees. His words, “I don’t need to know you to help you,” sparked my deep sense of responsibility. I then realised that, like trees, we are rooted in our communities to provide shade, bear fruit, and offer stability. This realisation has guided both my medical career and my journey into politics.
Born in 1996, just a year before Hon. Charity Ngilu became Kenya’s first female presidential candidate, my birth symbolised the awakening of women’s leadership in our country. Growing up, I drew inspiration from trailblazing women who defied societal expectations to lead in male-dominated spaces. Their resilience and courage showed me that barriers could be broken. As I step into politics, I carry their torch with determination to make politics more accessible for young women in Kenya.
Kakamega County, where I serve as a grassroots mobiliser for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), mirrors the deeply patriarchal structures found in much of Kenya and Africa. Politics is traditionally regarded as a man's domain, and women face systemic challenges such as limited access to resources, entrenched cultural stereotypes, and even violence. On the campaign trail, women are often reduced to their gender, facing scepticism, harassment, and dismissiveness. They are seen as too weak or too emotional to lead, a perception rooted in patriarchal norms that have historically excluded women from power.
Despite these barriers, I have learned that women are not just victims of the system—they are its changemakers. Through my work as a sexual reproductive health and rights activist, I’ve mobilised young women in grassroots initiatives, addressing critical issues like teenage pregnancies and access to healthcare. These efforts have reinforced a powerful truth: when women are included at decision-making tables, solutions to societal challenges are more holistic and effective.
The fight for representation is about increasing the number of women in politics and reshaping priorities. It is about ensuring that the issues affecting families, communities, and the nation—such as healthcare, education, and economic empowerment—are addressed with urgency and empathy. Women leaders bring unique perspectives rooted in lived experiences that enrich policymaking and governance.
My vision is clear as I prepare to run for office as Kakamega County Woman Representative in 2027. I want to create a Kenya where teenage girls have the opportunity to pursue education without the fear of early marriage or pregnancy derailing their dreams. I want to mentor other young women into politics, challenging the notion that leadership is only for men. Many of my peers and fellow professionals have turned away from politics, deeming it too corrupt or unsafe, but by stepping in, we can transform the system from within.
Our nation cannot progress without women's full participation in governance. By investing in young women, mentoring them, and breaking the barriers that hold us back, we can build a Kenya where leadership reflects its people's strength, resilience, and diversity. Together, we can create a future where women and men stand as equals in shaping the destiny of our nation.