Kenyan Women Respond to Sakaja’s Menstrual Leave Policy
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja recently made headlines by announcing a new policy granting women two days of menstrual leave per month. The move, aimed at acknowledging the physical challenges women face during their menstrual cycle, has elicited a wide range of reactions from Kenyan women.
For some, the announcement is welcome in theory but raises concerns about workplace implications. Judie, a media professional, expressed strong opposition to the policy. She argued that women are already at a disadvantage in Kenya’s job market due to perceptions around maternity leave and pregnancy.
“This is how we are kept away, then when we report back we find promotions were done and we are nowhere,” she said. “Next, when they are hiring, they may refuse to hire us because we need two days off every month. We have already been discriminated against even before employment… excused by maternity leave or other reasons. This will only reduce chances for women.” Judie also highlighted the realities of certain work environments, saying, “Especially in the newsroom, becoming pregnant sometimes felt like committing a crime against humanity. Now with this one, I would never accept this.”
Others question the motivations behind the policy. Rachel Kenya described the announcement as a potential PR strategy for Sakaja’s 2026/2027 political ambitions. She pointed out that the governor has limited history of championing women’s issues and was skeptical that the policy would be implemented beyond social media announcements.
“I got upset that he would use women’s issues to push his campaign. I find it hard to believe this will go beyond social media hype,” she said.
While the policy could signal progress for women’s rights in the workplace, it also raises important questions about gender equality in employment. Critics argue that without systemic enforcement and workplace culture change, such policies risk unintentionally reinforcing discrimination against women, rather than empowering them.
The announcement has sparked a national conversation about how Kenya balances progressive workplace policies with practical realities for women. Advocates argue that if implemented well, menstrual leave could improve productivity, health, and morale. Skeptics, however, caution that it may exacerbate existing biases in hiring and promotions, especially in competitive sectors like media, corporate offices, and politics.
As discussions continue, Kenyan women remain divided, some hopeful about the policy’s intent, others wary of potential unintended consequences.
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