🇰🇪 The Unbreakable Wall: Homa Bay Women’s Stand Against Political Violence
HOMA BAY COUNTY, KENYA—In an electrifying display of communal strength, the women of Homa Bay County have mobilized and marched, taking to the streets to issue a fierce public condemnation of the repeated violent attacks targeting a female political candidate. The powerful and unifying message that drove their protest was definitive: “Violence on a woman in Kasipul is violence against women in Homa Bay.”
This demonstration was sparked by the harrowing experiences of Beatrice Owino, a dedicated primary school teacher and aspiring candidate in the Kasipul Constituency by election. Owino was subjected to multiple acts of intimidation and violence, reportedly by hired goons. Her vehicle was vandalized, forcing her to abandon her campaign trail in fear. In a later, terrifying encounter, she was confronted in a salon and had to seek refuge by hiding in a nearby building.
These attacks are not merely isolated acts of political mischief; they represent a deliberate, chilling tactic of gendered violence used to intimidate, silence, and exclude women from the political arena.
A Threat to Democracy and a Demand for Protection
The violence against Owino has ignited a serious political crisis. In response, local women leaders are now issuing a stark ultimatum: they are threatening to boycott the November 27 by election unless authorities guarantee the protection of women candidates throughout the entire campaign period.
This demand goes directly to the heart of democratic integrity. When female candidates face the constant threat of physical harm, vandalism, and fear, the election ceases to be a fair contest. The leaders’ refusal to participate without adequate safety underscores a painful reality: for women in politics, the fight is often not just about winning votes, but about surviving the campaign itself.
The area is unfortunately no stranger to gender based violence (GBV) or political brutality. Reports show that women’s increased participation in Kenya’s political landscape is often met with aggressive, violent backlash from those seeking to preserve the status quo. The Homa Bay women’s action, therefore, is not just a localized protest; it is a critical stand against the broader systemic forces that seek to restrict women’s fundamental right to leadership.
The True Meaning of Sisterhood and Solidarity
The collective decision by the women of Homa Bay to treat the violence against one woman as violence against all of them offers a powerful, vital lesson in solidarity. They refused to let Owino be isolated and refused to let the brutality be normalized. They saw the attack, recognized its true intent—to silence and discourage—and responded not by retreating, but by showing up.
This response embodies the necessary energy required to dismantle patriarchal violence everywhere. When those who benefit from the current power structure “come for one of us,” they are testing the resilience and unity of all of us. The correct, powerful response is to demonstrate that the collective is stronger than the individual threat.
This model of solidarity requires active, consistent commitment:
- Speak Up: Don’t be a passive witness. When you observe another woman being torn down, whether in a political arena or a workplace, break the silence immediately. Your voice is a shield.
- Amplify the Silenced: Use your platform, whether large or small, to elevate the stories and campaigns of women who are facing active attempts to silence them.
- Show Up! Action over deliberation. Don’t wait for the “right time” or the perfect opportunity. Physical or virtual presence in support of a threatened sister is an act of resistance.
- Reject Competition: Discard the false narrative that women must compete for scarce resources or positions. Her safety, success, and ability to thrive are inextricably linked to your own rights. Her safety is your safety.
- Be Unyielding: Be the woman who refuses to let your sisters stand alone. This fierce, unwavering commitment is the definition of true sisterhood.
The women of Homa Bay have issued a profound and undeniable statement that extends far beyond the borders of Kenya: the fight for equality and safety is a shared one. We rise together or we don’t rise at all. Their courage is an urgent call to action for women everywhere to activate their solidarity and demand accountability from those in power.
