Rural women across Kenya are demanding transformative changes in land ownership, leadership participation, and economic opportunities, as underscored by the National Rural Women’s Forum held in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County. The gathering, organized by GROOTS Kenya, convened grassroots leaders from 30 counties to discuss land rights, food security, climate resilience, and gender equity. Over 5,000 grassroots groups, representing approximately 100,000 women, participated in the dialogue, emphasizing the interconnectedness of land access and economic empowerment.
GROOTS Kenya Executive Director Eunice Mwangi highlighted that cultural norms and legal gaps continue to hinder women’s ability to own and control land. She noted that in some communities, women are excluded from inheritance, with widows and daughters often denied property rights. Mwangi stressed the need for community sensitization, citing Kenya’s diverse land tenure systems, and emphasized the organization’s Men for Women Champions initiative to engage men in challenging patriarchal norms. 'Empowering women does not diminish men’s roles,' she said, adding that cultural leaders are critical in reshaping traditions that perpetuate inequality.
Nyandarua County Commissioner’s representative, Assistant County Commissioner Lentete Saitemo, affirmed the government’s commitment to advancing women’s land rights. Administrators are using public barazas to educate communities on legal frameworks, including succession laws that ensure women and children are not excluded from property distribution. 'Discrimination against women in land ownership is a relic of the past,' Saitemo stated, emphasizing the need for inclusive governance.
Monica Keben, a rural women’s representative from Baringo County, shared how GROOTS Kenya’s interventions since 2021 have transformed women’s lives. Previously confined to domestic roles, women were organized into income-generating groups, gaining skills in agriculture and crafts. Keben noted that widows, who once struggled to protect their assets, now support their families and send children to university. 'Men now recognize women’s economic contributions,' she said, citing shifting family dynamics.
Dorcus Kigera, a GROOTS Sacco leader, called for greater female representation in decision-making bodies. She urged women to join school and hospital boards, as well as seek elective positions, arguing that grassroots voices are essential for national policy reforms. 'Women must be architects of change, not passive beneficiaries,' Kigera asserted, linking land ownership to economic independence.
Esther Kuria, a GROOTS Kenya Champion Movement member, emphasized that land rights must extend beyond ownership to include productive use. 'Women should not just hold land titles but also have the knowledge to leverage them for income,' she said. The forum also prioritized food security, with farmers like Wairimu Kanyiri from Nakuru County sharing strategies to boost agricultural output through collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. Kanyiri highlighted household food mapping and nutrition education as tools to combat hunger.
The discussions underscored a growing movement to translate advocacy into tangible action. Mwangi noted that women from diverse regions are identifying shared challenges, fostering cross-county collaboration. 'Our goal is to shift from being recipients of development to active decision-makers,' she said. The forum’s outcomes aim to empower communities to implement solutions, ensuring rural women’s rights are not just acknowledged but enforced.
The call for equity reflects broader societal shifts, as women increasingly challenge systemic barriers. With government support, grassroots mobilization, and policy reforms, the movement seeks to redefine rural women’s roles in Kenya’s economic and political landscape. As Keben observed, 'When women thrive, communities prosper.'
GROOTS Kenya’s efforts highlight the intersection of gender justice and sustainable development. By addressing land rights, leadership gaps, and economic disparities, the organization is laying the groundwork for a more equitable future. The forum’s emphasis on collective action and policy advocacy signals a pivotal moment in Kenya’s journey toward gender equality.
The National Rural Women’s Forum in Ol Kalou has become a catalyst for change, amplifying voices that have long been marginalized. As participants return to their communities, their resolve to transform systemic inequities remains unwavering, driven by the belief that empowered women are the cornerstone of resilient societies.