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Broad-Based Queens Initiative Launched to Empower Women Across Kenya

By Njeri Irungu

Nairobi, Kenya – August 27, 2025 – The government has unveiled the Broad-Based Queens Initiative, a national program aimed at empowering women, fostering political stability, and strengthening family livelihoods through inclusive development.

The initiative, championed under the leadership of President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, seeks to advance national cohesion while equipping women with opportunities to improve their socio-economic status.

At the heart of the program are four key pillars: the Social Health Authority scheme, the Affordable Housing Program, support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and the Affirmative Government Fund. These pillars are designed to uplift economically disadvantaged women by providing resources, skills, and access to transformative opportunities.

The rollout will follow a structured two-phase approach. In the first phase, women of influence will be identified at the ward level across selected counties and engaged through training workshops and town hall sessions. The second phase will focus on community-level outreach, with trained teams conducting door-to-door engagements in collaboration with national and county governments, ministries, professional bodies, faith-based organizations, and community leaders.

Key activities will include mobilizing women at the grassroots, structured training on business management and soft skills, sensitization on affordable housing opportunities, and onboarding into the Social Health Authority framework.

Speaking during the launch, program coordinators emphasized that the initiative represents a strong commitment by the government to empower women, strengthen families, and drive inclusive growth.

“This is a clear demonstration of our resolve to achieve socio-economic transformation and sustainable development by placing women at the center of national progress,” one of the organizers said.

The Broad-Based Queens Initiative is expected to positively impact thousands of households, ensuring women are better equipped to lead, innovate, and support Kenya’s long-term growth agenda.

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