In November 2026, The Oslo Center (TOC) will launch “Navigating the Ballot: Advanced Political Strategy for Women and Youth”, a training and mentorship initiative designed to strengthen the electoral preparedness of aspiring women and young political leaders in Kenya.

The programme forms part of WYDE Political Parties, led by the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP) and funded by the European Union.

As Kenya prepares for its next parliamentary elections, women and young people continue to face significant challenges in accessing political leadership and competing effectively for elected office. Beyond formal eligibility, aspiring candidates must navigate complex party structures, nomination processes, campaign financing and the practical demands of electoral competition.

The initiative aims to address these challenges by providing practical political strategy training tailored to women and youth parliamentary aspirants from different political parties.

Participants will explore how to navigate internal party dynamics and secure nominations, identify influential actors through political power mapping, and develop financially sustainable campaign strategies.

The programme will also focus on issue-based leadership, political storytelling, candidate branding and voter mobilisation, helping participants develop campaign approaches that connect with their communities and respond to voters’ priorities.

A distinctive feature of the initiative is its emphasis on experiential and peer learning. Rather than focusing exclusively on theoretical knowledge, participants will work with practical tools and exercises that can be adapted to their own political and electoral contexts.

The training will be complemented by a structured mentorship component, connecting aspiring candidates with experienced politicians. Through facilitated exchanges and interactive fishbowl dialogues, participants will have opportunities to discuss the realities of political campaigning, public scrutiny, resilience, ethical leadership and the challenges of navigating party politics.

By combining strategic preparation, practical learning and mentorship, the programme seeks to strengthen the ability of women and young candidates to compete effectively for parliamentary seats.

Through initiatives such as this, WYDE Political Parties continues to support more inclusive political participation by helping emerging leaders move beyond political engagement towards meaningful opportunities for elected representation.

Event Details

• Activity: Navigating the Ballot: Advanced Political Strategy for Women and Youth
• Period: November 2026
• Location: Kenya
• Implemented by: The Oslo Center (TOC)
• Project: WYDE Political Parties – led by ENoP and funded by the European Union
• Target participants: Women and youth aspiring to parliamentary office from different political parties
• Format: Multiparty residential training, practical exercises, peer learning and structured mentorship
• Main topics: Electoral strategy, party nominations, political power mapping, campaign financing, candidate branding, voter mobilisation and political mentorship
• Main objective: Strengthen the electoral competitiveness and preparedness of women and young parliamentary candidates.