Fighting Online Abuse: How Kenyan Women Leaders Battle Cyberbullying

In her quest to champion accountability in the Kakamega County Assembly, Victoria Zillah, a member of the assembly, found herself overwhelmed by a flood of anonymous online trolls and hate messages. 

It began as subtle criticism of her policies and her stance on fighting for transparency, but quickly escalated to gender-based abuse.

"I remember pushing for an accountability and audit report to be tabled on the assembly floor, to understand how funds were being spent. Some fellow assembly members took it the wrong way and tried to silence me. What they did was hire bloggers to troll me, posting petty and shameful messages on platforms like WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook. They even spread false claims that I was fighting with the Speaker because he wasn't interested in me romantically," Zillah recalled.

Despite the backlash, the online harassment didn't deter her. Zillah stood firm in her fight for accountability. Having led in various capacities—such as a youth leader for the DAP-Kenya party and a youth advocate in Kakamega County—the trolls could not shake her resolve. 

"I stayed true to what I believed was right. The trolls didn’t weigh me down. I was even suspended illegally from the county assembly for five months and labeled a rebel for questioning the Speaker. They thought online attacks would silence me, but instead, I became even more vocal. I’m sure if it had been a man in my position, he wouldn’t have been suspended. I was singled out because I’m a woman," she explained.

A Growing Threat Across Kakamega and Kenya

Zillah’s experience is not unique. Across Kenya, women in politics or those pursuing leadership roles face unprecedented levels of cyberbullying. 

What was once a democratic space for participation has become a battlefield, with women being primary targets for harassment. The attacks are often systematic, aimed at pushing women out of leadership roles and silencing their voices.

In Kakamega County, known for its dynamic political scene, female leaders like Zillah find themselves at the center of online trolling. The perpetrators amplify hate, breeding fear among women in leadership.

“Women, especially those in politics, are more vulnerable to online harassment because of societal beliefs. Society assumes that when a woman rises to leadership, it’s not her own efforts or merit. This makes women even more susceptible to cyberbullying, with people constantly questioning their progress and trying to tear them down,” Zillah explained.

This issue recently came to the forefront when the Kakamega County Woman Representative announced her interest in running for the gubernatorial seat in the 2027 election. 

Her announcement was met with sexist remarks from a senior county leader, who made crude comments about women using demeaning metaphors. 

The video went viral, and the Woman Representative became the target of online trolling, especially on TikTok, where many tried to dissuade her from pursuing her political ambitions.

The incident was not isolated. Data from the Kenya Human Rights Commission shows that nearly 60% of women in politics have faced some form of online abuse. The threats often focus on their gender, physical appearance, and competence, and they are designed to undermine their credibility. 

These attacks not only harm the individuals involved but also represent a step backward for democracy, particularly as Kenya continues to struggle with implementing the two-thirds gender rule in political representation. 

Women are 27 times more likely to be harassed online than men, according to a report by the African Development Bank. The report also states that up to 70% of women have endured cyber violence.

The Psychological Toll of Cyberbullying

Dr. Hendricks Ochieng Ademba, a psychologist 

Online harassment and abuse cross emotional boundaries, leaving women—both political and nonpolitical—with deep scars. Dr. Hendricks Ochieng Ademba, a psychologist, explains that the stigma of cyberbullying has a particularly significant impact on women in leadership, given societal expectations.

“The attacks often target what is most sensitive to women—her family, her marriage, and her social standing—which can lead to isolation. It not only affects the individual but can also impact her children and extended family. Over time, her social support network can become cut off, and her self-esteem may plummet. Compared to other forms of harassment, the rate of suicide due to cyberbullying is much higher,” Dr. Ademba explained.

He also emphasized that the psychological toll of cyberbullying affects women leaders in profound ways. 

"They're constantly exposed to negative messages that undermine their self-worth. This can lead to anxiety and depression, which, in turn, impair their ability to lead. As a result, many women shy away from leadership roles," he added.

In support of Dr. Ademba’s observation, Zillah noted that cyberbullying has caused many women to step back from their political ambitions. 

"You’ll find that many women opt for leadership roles in non-governmental sectors, where they are less exposed to online abuse, instead of entering political leadership. Only a few women, who are bold enough, venture into this sector. There’s a real need for more young women to step up and show interest in political leadership," she said.

Dr. Ademba further suggested that to cope with the emotional toll of online harassment, women must stand up for themselves and reclaim their power. 

"It’s essential that women in leadership boldly stand their ground and affirm their right to lead. They must speak positively about themselves and reject the false narratives spread by trolls."

Additionally, Dr. Ademba recommended that women develop strong support systems, either within their communities or families, to manage the psychological effects of online abuse. 

"First and foremost, women leaders need to support each other. They need family and friends outside of politics who can walk them through the emotional toll and affirm their worth. This kind of support heals. Women also need to find safe spaces where they can escape the negativity, and engage in activities they enjoy. I also advise women to have access to mental health professionals, such as counselors and therapists, who can help them build resilience," he advised.

The Legal Gaps and Challenges

While Kenya has laws against cyberbullying, they remain inadequate, leaving many women in politics without the legal protection they need. 

The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2018 criminalizes cyberbullying, but its enforcement is weak, and many victims are unaware of how to seek redress when they are harassed.

“Cyberbullying cases are not well handled. You report a case, and you end up going in circles, with no clear resolution. That’s what happened to me last year when I reported a cyberbullying incident. There should be dedicated desks in every police station for cyberbullying cases, and they should ensure that these cases are followed through to the end so that victims can receive justice,” Zillah said.

Dr. Ademba added that Kenya is still struggling to establish comprehensive laws and mechanisms to manage the growing issue of online harassment. 

"The mechanisms for reporting cyberbullying need to be clear and accessible. We’ve seen numerous female politicians harassed online, yet no action is taken. This emboldens the trolls and perpetuates a culture of impunity. It’s only when things escalate to extreme levels that authorities intervene," Dr. Ademba explained.

Esther Okech, a human rights expert with the Kenya Female Advisory Organization (KEFEADO), echoed this sentiment. 

Esther Okech, a human rights expert with the Kenya Female Advisory Organization (KEFEADO)

"We have several laws and regulations in place to combat cybercrimes, but the challenge lies in their implementation. Many victims struggle to navigate the justice system, and the process is often not well defined. As human rights defenders, we are pushing for better frameworks and supporting women in leadership by providing them with legal and psychological help," Okech said.

Okech also urged women in leadership to build strong support systems to help them cope with online abuse. 

"Women need to establish clear support networks, especially those entering politics. Cyberbullying is rampant and causes a significant emotional toll, making it crucial for women to lean on each other for strength," she added.

Loice Waceke Thindigwa, a legal expert, explained that the rise of technology has contributed to the increase in cyberbullying cases. 

Loice Waceke Thindigwa, a legal expert.

"Cyberbullying has become more rampant with the expansion of digital platforms. It causes serious harm, affecting not just a woman’s mental and social well-being but also her leadership prospects and even personal relationships. Many women in leadership struggle with the psychological and social impact of online harassment,” Waceke explained.

Waceke explained that while cyberbullying is a criminal offense under the Cybercrimes Act, many women do not take legal action.

 "Cyberbullying is a crime in Kenya. Under Section 5 of the 2018 Cybercrimes Act, individuals found guilty of cyberbullying can face imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine not exceeding  20 million Kenyan shillings. Yet, many women do not report these cases, perhaps because they’re unaware of their legal rights or because they don’t believe the system will help them,” she said.

She also emphasized the need for gender-specific desks in police stations to handle cyberbullying cases more effectively. 

"Police stations should have dedicated desks for handling gender and cyberbullying cases. This would create a safer environment for victims to report abuse and ensure their cases are treated with the seriousness they deserve."

Despite the challenges, the rise of women in Kenyan politics is a positive sign of progress toward the two-thirds gender rule. However, the digital space remains a battleground for many young, upcoming female leaders.

Zillah remains hopeful and urges other women to step up and pursue leadership roles, undeterred by the obstacles they face online. "Women need to rise and break these barriers. Leadership should not be defined by gender. Don’t let bullies compromise your ambitions."