Kenyans are expected to witness an increase in number of female contestants in the next general elections.
Women who aspire to vie for elective positions will be sponsored by the Echo Network Africa through its Democracy Trust Fund.
Speaking during a press briefing, the Echo Network Africa Chief Executive Officer Jeniffer Riria said the fund will identify, prepare and position women for leadership in a strategic and sustainable manner.
“The trust is not going to be giving women money. The aspiring women are encouraged to save money and that same money is what they will use during their campaigns because we do not want them to be tokens in the political process. We want them to be there in their own right,” she stated.
She has called on women to join the fund and ensure they are able to participate in elections without financial challenges.
“You will hear how empowered women who have campaigned using their money are and they have a voice in the community. This is not a bank where you can just save and withdraw money whenever one feels like and that is why we are asking women to save until the election time,” Riria added.
Those interested to be members of the Trust Fund will be required to register and pay Ksh.5, 000 membership fee non- refundable.