Abstract:
This chapter assesses the role and performance of the Kenyan media in women’s participation in 2013
Kenya general election with particular emphasis on radio, television and newspapers. Kenya has a
diverse, vibrant and largely free media whose coverage of the election was useful in informing, educat-
ing and mobilizing women to vote. However, limited and biased media coverage of women candidates,
inadequate civic and voter education may have inhibited women’s electoral participation as few women
contested and won electoral seats in the 2013 Kenyan polls. Therefore, the media should enhance the
visibility of women, political rights and issues of women as the country endeavours to enhance gender
equality in political representation. To achieve this, the media should partner with women, the electoral
body, government, political parties and other stakeholders in Kenya in order to improve women’s media
coverage and political participation.