Portrait: Rachel Mwikali, championing for gender and social justice rights

Rachel Mwikali is a pan African feminist, a human rights defender, a community mobilizer, working for Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders (CGHRD Kenya)- a social movement organization that is based in Mathare and Yatta in Kenya. She co-founded the Pussy Power Movement, which is an emerging grass roots feminist movement and human rights movement in Kenya.

by Mary Kiio

The movement reclaims bodily autonomy and anatomy as a symbol of strength and resistance rather than shame, using the name to challenge patriarchal hypocrisy and gender-based violence (including femicide).

Mwikali in her capacity as an advocate, together with their partners KELIN (Kenya legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV and AIDS), took the Ministry of Health in Kenya to court, challenging them on the lack of sufficient public participation in developing and having provisions -that were deemed unconstitutional- denying women and children on their rights to reproductive health on issues such as safe abortion. This is contrary to what is contained in the rights of women according to Article 26; 4 of the National Constitution of Kenya, and access to family planning in the National Reproductive Health and Rights Policy 2022- 2032.

The constitutional article states that: 26 (4) “Abortion is not permitted unless, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law.”

Mwikali is also among the champions who are pushing for the recognition of Femicide in Kenya and she, together with like-minded partners, have been instrumental since 2018 in advocacy work that led to the government to recognize femicide when it set up a task force to discuss Gender Based Violence in the country.

Mwikali and partners also helped organize a nationwide public participation on femicide. They are now pushing for the recommendations of the task force to be implemented.

Rachel-Mwikali-speaking-at-the-event held on Mashujaa Day at the Alliance Francaise, 20/10/2026 Credit: Mary Kiio

On 20th October 2026, known as Mashujaa Day in Kenya, Rachel Mwikali was among the honored speakers during the Defenders Coalition Festival held at the Alliance Francaise in Nairobi. The Festival was aimed at honoring courage, celebrating creative expression and recognizing the power of ordinary people to make extra ordinary change in their society. Mashuajaa Day stands for Heroes Day in Kenya and is celebrated annually to honor all individuals who fought for the country’s independence and those who contribute to it modern day development and nation building.

Members of the public at the event held in Alliance Francaise on Mashujaa Day Credit: Mary Kiio

Mwikali is keen on ensuring that reproductive health issues in Kenya also influence governance issues in the country. She is pushing that during the next elections slated for August 2027, if these matters are not part of the agenda of the politicians, then young people and every kenyan should call for no elections until they are addressed and streamlined.

Rachel-Mwikali. Credit: Mary Kiio

Pressenza Kenya