Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation announces comprehensive election roadmap

Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation, Election Board Chair Commissioner Anne Wambaa flanked by former MYWO chair Ziporrah Kittony (right) and Kuresha Mohamed(member) addressing the media at the organisation's HQ on May 14, 2025/PHOTO: Tabnacha Odeny

The Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) has officially announced its election roadmap.

The roadmap marks the beginning of a structured and inclusive electoral process that will span from the grassroots to the national level through to 2028.

Speaking at a press briefing at the MYWO headquarters in Nairobi, the organisation's Election Board Chairperson Commissioner Anne Wambaa outlined the multi-phase calendar that will guide the organization's elections — beginning with member recruitment and culminating in national elections by December 2028.

“We are here as members of the MYWO Election Board to issue a statement on our election calendar, which will ensure a transparent, participatory, and well-organized election process across the country,” Wambaa stated.

Present during the briefing were, Commissioner Wambaa (Election Board Chair), former nominated Senator CBS Zipporah Kittony (former MYWO chair), Kuresha Mohamed (member), Fareeda Bamrag(member) and Isabela Ndolo (MYWO E.O and Election Board Secretary)

Mandeleo ya Wanawake organisation members during the briefing: Left-Right- Isabela Ndolo (MYWO E.O and Election Board Secretary), Kuresha Mohamed (member), Commissioner Anne Wambaa (Election Board Chair), former nominated Senator CBS Zipporah Kittony (former MYWO chair), and Fareeda Bamrag (member).

The MYWO National Election Board, inaugurated on February 2, 2024, was appointed by the organization’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 9, 2023, following recommendations from the National Executive Council (NEC).

The board will oversee elections across 1,450 wards, 290 sub-counties, 47 counties, and at the national level, in accordance with the MYWO Constitution, Terms of Reference, and AGM resolutions.

From May to December 2025, the organization will conduct a countrywide membership recruitment, and the renewal drive is underway, encouraging all existing and new members to pay the annual Sh100 membership fee.

The board will finalise and approve nomination rules between January 8 –July 31, 2026.

All interested candidates must declare their interest by submitting prescribed nomination forms to the National Election Board by July 31, 2026.

From August-December 2026, the board will update the voter register across the country and between January-September 2027, it will conduct county-level voter verification exercise.

Between October 1, 2027 – November 2028, the staggered election process will begin at the ward level, followed by sub-county and county levels, before concluding with the national elections.

Wambaa emphasised that only fully paid-up members will be eligible to participate, either as voters or candidates.

Aspirants for national office must be active members of MYWO for at least 10 years and must have previously held an executive position at the county level. The age limit for office bearers is capped at 75 years.

“This calendar was drawn by the National Executive Council and adopted by the 2023 AGM to ensure inclusivity and smooth execution. As a grassroots women’s organization, our aim is to empower every member and ensure that their voice is heard in this democratic process,” she said.

Wambaa urged members to avoid last-minute applications and to take advantage of the early stages of the roadmap to renew membership and prepare adequately. 

“Thank you to the members who have already renewed their membership. We encourage everyone else to do the same so they are not left behind in this historic exercise,” she said.