Josephine Kulea
Kenya
The Story of Me: A Personal Call to Serve
Growing up in Samburu County, I lived amidst the harsh realities of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. These were not abstract issues; they were vivid and heartbreaking realities that shaped the lives of those around me. My own mother, a bright and ambitious young girl, was forced to leave school after undergoing FGM and being married off as a teenager. Her dreams were cut short, but her story lit a fire in me.
Over the years, my work with the Samburu Girls Foundation has shown me the incredible power of grassroots action to rescue, protect, and empower girls. Yet, I have also realised that grassroots efforts alone are not enough to create lasting change. Despite our progress, systemic gaps in leadership, enforcement of laws, and resource allocation continue to hinder our mission. The fight to protect girls and end harmful practices like FGM requires political will and leadership that prioritizes these issues at the national level.
What has inspired me to pursue a political journey is the realization that many of the challenges we face—weak enforcement of anti-FGM laws, inadequate resources for survivors, and limited access to education for girls—stem from a lack of representation and commitment in decision-making spaces. I see a critical leadership gap that I am uniquely positioned to fill. My lived experience, deep connection to the community, and years of advocacy work have prepared me to represent the women and girls of Samburu County with authenticity, integrity, and urgency.
Entering politics is not just about creating policies; it is about transforming the systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice. As Women’s Representative for Samburu County, I aim to bring the voices of women and girls to the forefront, ensuring that their needs and aspirations are prioritized in every decision. This political journey is an extension of my life’s work, driven by a vision of a Samburu where every girl is safe, educated, and empowered to thrive.
Why This Fight Matters to All of Us
FGM and child marriage are not just personal battles; they are societal tragedies. They rob us of countless women and girls' contributions, creativity, and leadership. Unfortunately, political leaders have largely failed to address this crisis with the urgency it deserves. Year after year, we see laws passed but rarely enforced, promises made but never fulfilled, and resources allocated yet failing to reach the communities most affected. This lack of attention and action has left girls vulnerable and perpetuated harmful cultural practices that continue to steal their futures.
This has greatly influenced my quest to run for political office in Kenya in 2027 as a Women’s Representative for Samburu County. I see several gaps in leadership that I aim to address once in parliament. They include weak enforcement laws, limited resource allocation and a lack of community engagement.
As a leader, I will fill these gaps by championing the voices of women and girls, advocating for targeted resource allocation, strengthening law enforcement, and fostering collaboration between communities and policymakers. My vision is to shift from reactive efforts to proactive, systemic change that dismantles harmful practices and ensures every girl’s right to a safe and empowered life. This fight is not just about addressing today’s challenges but about building a foundation for a future where gender equality is the norm, not the exception.
Connecting Leadership to Urgency
Despite significant progress, child marriage and FGM remain widespread in Kenya, with millions of girls at risk. In Samburu County, these practices are deeply entrenched, perpetuated by cultural norms, poverty, and lack of education. The gap between policy and action is glaring, leaving vulnerable girls without the protection they desperately need. It is time for bold, visionary leadership to bridge this gap and lead the fight against these harmful practices.
Political leaders must step up to address these lingering challenges. They must ensure that every girl forced out of school is reintegrated, that survivors receive the support they need to heal, and that laws protecting girls are enforced. If elected, I will focus on creating a comprehensive approach that includes education, enforcement, and economic empowerment. I will push for community-based initiatives that address the root causes of these practices while working with survivors to ensure their voices are heard in decision-making processes.
I want to lead this fight by bridging the grassroots and national platforms. I will use my deep connection to Samburu communities and my advocacy experience to drive policies prioritising girls’ rights and welfare. This includes lobbying for increased funding for education, ensuring accountability in law enforcement, and partnering with local leaders to foster cultural shifts that reject harmful practices.
However, I cannot do this alone. I need the community’s support to make this vision a reality. I call on parents to prioritize their daughters’ education, elders to champion cultural change, and youth to be vocal advocates for a brighter future. Together, we can create a Samburu where every girl is safe, educated, and empowered to reach her full potential. Change is possible, but it requires unity, action, and leadership that listens, understands, and delivers. I am ready to be that leader.
My Vision for the Future
In five years, I envision a Samburu where girls are safe from harmful practices, empowered to pursue their dreams, and protected by systems that work. My focus will be on two critical areas: enforcement of laws and education for empowerment.
Enforcement of Laws
Kenya has strong laws prohibiting FGM and child marriage, but enforcement remains a significant challenge. In many cases, violators are not prosecuted, and survivors are left without justice. I want to ensure that these laws are not just words on paper but tools of protection and accountability.
For example, community-based law enforcement can play a vital role in bridging the gap between national laws and local realities. By working with chiefs, village elders, and local administrators, we can establish reporting mechanisms that ensure cases of FGM and child marriage are swiftly reported and addressed. I will advocate for mobile courts to bring justice closer to remote areas and ensure violators face consequences.
Additionally, I want to push for the creation of special units within law enforcement to handle cases of gender-based violence, including FGM and child marriage. These units will be staffed by trained officers who understand these cases' cultural and emotional complexities, ensuring that survivors are treated with dignity and care.
Education for Empowerment
Education is the most powerful tool for breaking the cycle of harmful practices. I envision a Samburu where every girl has access to quality education, regardless of background. Educated girls are less likely to undergo FGM or be married off early, and they are more likely to become empowered women who can advocate for themselves and their communities.
To achieve this, I will champion policies that ensure free and accessible education for girls, including providing scholarships for those from vulnerable families. I will also advocate for establishing more boarding schools in remote areas to offer girls a safe environment in which to learn and thrive.
Furthermore, I want to integrate gender-based violence education into school curriculums so that children grow up understanding their rights and the dangers of harmful practices. By educating both boys and girls, we can cultivate a generation that rejects FGM and child marriage and promotes equality.
These two areas, stronger enforcement of laws and increased access to education, are the foundation for a future where no girl is left behind. This vision is not just ambitious; it is achievable, but it requires commitment, compassion, and bold leadership. I am ready to be that leader. Together, we can create lasting change.
Building a Future Together
This is not just my fight; it is ours. The battle against FGM, child marriage, and gender inequality requires all of us to rise and take action. As I prepare to run for political office as the Women’s Representative for Samburu County in 2027, I am putting in motion a transformative agenda that will directly impact the lives of girls and women in our community.
My political run is more than a personal ambition—it is a commitment to systemic change. I aim to bridge the gap between grassroots advocacy and national policymaking by stepping into leadership. My campaign is built on ensuring that the voices of Samburu women and girls are heard, their needs prioritized, and their futures secured.
This campaign is the start of something bigger, a movement to protect girls, empower communities, and create a Samburu where everyone thrives.