Susan Kihika Sworn in as Nakuru Governor, Then Targeted by Vicious Online Abuse Campaign
Susan Kihika was officially sworn into office as the governor of Nakuru county in Kenya, a moment of political triumph that was swiftly overshadowed by a relentless campaign of online abuse. This harassment began in March last year, shortly after she gave birth to twins in the United States, where she had received treatment for a high-risk pregnancy. Critics accused her of abandoning her country by taking maternity leave abroad, sparking a wave of sexist attacks and smears.
Escalation of Abuse and Sexist Smears
The criticism quickly escalated beyond mere political disagreement into personal and gendered vitriol. Social media users spread false allegations, including claims that Kihika had slept her way into politics, and maliciously shared her location, putting her safety at risk. Despite defenses from her deputy, David Kones, and the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (Kewopa), the abuse persisted both online and offline, with calls for her removal from office due to her dual Kenyan-US citizenship. Kewopa highlighted a glaring double standard, noting that male leaders rarely face such scrutiny for personal time off.
This was not Kihika's first encounter with sexist abuse. In 2018, during her divorce, she was criticized for prioritizing politics over monogamy, and Twitter users demanded she release nude photographs to prove her gender. Her experience underscores a broader, alarming trend of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) targeting women in public life.
Global Scale of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence
Kihika's ordeal is far from isolated. Research by the feminist collective Pollicy revealed that during Kenya's 2022 elections, 56% of female candidates experienced online violence on Facebook, compared to 35% of male candidates. Irex, an international NGO, documented highly sexualized cyberbullying, where women politicians were often portrayed as immoral, with fabricated stories and fake sex tapes circulated online.
Globally, the scale is staggering. A study by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security found that 38% of women worldwide have reported experiencing TFGBV, while 85% have witnessed or endured it. In 2024, a year marked by numerous elections globally, women faced disproportionate targeting through gendered disinformation, deepfakes, non-consensual image sharing, and doxing. In African Union member states, 42% of female politicians have received online death threats, rape threats, or threats of physical violence.
Democratic Crisis and Silencing of Women
Online abuse not only devastates individuals but also poses a severe threat to democracy. When women withdraw from public discourse for safety reasons, democratic participation is compromised. Amnesty International reports that 76% of women who experience online abuse alter their social media use, with nearly a third ceasing to post opinions on certain issues. This silencing leads to fewer women in office, reduced role models, and a mentorship gap, perpetuating male-dominated political landscapes.
Increasing Sophistication of Digital Abuse
The sophistication of digital abuse is growing with advancements in AI, making it easier to produce manipulated images and videos that appear authentic. Concerns are rising over misuse of smart glasses and wearable technologies; for instance, in February, reports emerged of a content creator using AI-enabled smart glasses to secretly record women in Kenya and Ghana, sharing footage without consent. While Kenya and Ghana have legal frameworks to address such violations, enforcement remains challenging, especially with cross-border platforms and foreign nationals involved.
Call for Action Beyond Laws
Laws alone are insufficient to protect women. Effective enforcement requires officers trained in emerging technologies, and governments must transition from spectators to active participants. Strengthening legal frameworks, investing in research, and improving digital literacy are crucial steps. Partnerships with technology companies should focus on safeguarding human rights and democratic processes, ensuring digital spaces reflect equality rather than embedded misogyny.
As Sharon Kechula, a gender and digital rights specialist, emphasizes, making digital spaces safe for women is vital for healthy democracies. Women must enjoy full access to technology without fear of abuse, enabling their voices to be heard and aspirations realized in the political arena.
