From Participant to Aspiring Leader: Sumeiya Omar’s Journey Towards Public Service

When Sumeiya Omar joined Peace Tree Network’s Young Women’s Voices training programme in 2025, she was seeking an opportunity to learn, grow and better understand how she could contribute to her community. One year later, she is preparing to take a much bolder step—contesting for the position of Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Ukunda Ward in Kenya’s 2027 General Elections.

Sumeiya was among former participants who gathered on 5 June 2026 at Grassroots Voice in Kinondo, Kwale County, for a roundtable dialogue convened by Peace Tree Network (PTN). The event brought together young women who had previously participated in the Young Women’s Voices initiative to reflect on their leadership journeys, share experiences and explore opportunities for strengthening women’s participation in governance ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Elections.

For Sumeiya, the dialogue was more than a reunion. It was an opportunity to reflect on how far she had come since completing the training and how the programme had influenced her confidence, leadership aspirations and vision for public service.

The roundtable dialogue built on the achievements of Bold Women’s Voices, Stronger Democracy: Promoting Women’s Political Participation in Kwale County, a project implemented by PTN with support from the Zivik Funding Program. The initiative worked closely with young women, community leaders, local authorities and grassroots organisations to strengthen women’s political participation and promote inclusive governance in Kwale County.

Through guided discussions and storytelling, participants reflected on how the programme had shaped their personal, civic and leadership journeys. Many shared experiences of increased confidence, improved civic awareness and greater involvement in community initiatives.

Among the stories shared, Sumeiya’s stood out as a testament to the transformative power of investing in young women’s leadership.

Sumeiya shared that, Insha’Allah, she intends to contest for the position of Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Ukunda Ward in the 2027 General Elections. Her decision is driven by a desire to contribute to effective legislation, strengthen community representation and advocate for the needs and priorities of the people of Ukunda.

“The programme helped me realise that leadership is not reserved for a few people,” she said. “Insha’Allah, I plan to vie for the position of MCA for Ukunda Ward in 2027. I want to serve my community by contributing to legislation that addresses local challenges and promotes development in Kwale County. Young people and women need leaders who understand their realities and can champion policies that improve their lives.”

Her aspiration reflects a growing shift among young women in Kwale County who are increasingly stepping into leadership spaces, engaging in civic initiatives and challenging long-standing barriers that have limited women’s participation in public decision-making.

The discussion also revealed how participants are increasingly taking up leadership roles within their communities, engaging in civic initiatives and advocating for issues that affect women and young people. Many credited the programme with helping them build the confidence needed to speak up, organize community activities and participate in local decision-making processes.

Despite these positive developments, participants acknowledged that significant challenges remain. Gender inequality, limited access to mentorship and a lack of confidence continue to discourage many women from pursuing leadership opportunities and participating fully in governance and decision-making spaces.

“Many young women have the potential to lead, but gender inequality and lack of confidence continue to hold women back from participating fully in leadership and governance spaces,” noted Barroh Mahoumod, who moderated the dialogue. “We need more mentorship, support and opportunities to build confidence.”

These challenges underscore the importance of initiatives that create safe spaces for learning, leadership development and civic engagement. As Kenya moves closer to the 2027 General Elections, empowering young women to participate meaningfully in democratic processes will be essential to building more inclusive and representative governance.

For Sumeiya, however, the conversation is no longer about whether women can lead—it is about preparing to lead effectively. Her ambition to seek elective office is rooted not only in personal aspiration but also in a commitment to public service and community development. It is a journey that began with a single opportunity to learn and has evolved into a vision for creating lasting change.

For Sumeiya, leadership is not about status or recognition. It is about creating opportunities for others, responding to community needs and contributing to positive change.

“Leadership is service. It is listening to people, understanding their challenges and working together to find solutions. That is the kind of leadership I hope to offer my community, Insha’Allah,” she said. As Kenya moves closer to the 2027 General Elections, Sumeiya’s story serves as a reminder that leadership journeys often begin with a single opportunity to learn, grow and believe in one’s potential. Through initiatives such as Young Women’s Voices, young