The just concluded general elections in Kenya was sweet victory for the country's men who managed to clinch the bulk of strategic national leadership positions thanks to a patriarchal set up hostile to women's participation in civic affairs.

Regrettably, a dismal score by women who only managed to secure negligible seats in the national assembly and local government confirms that gender equality remains elusive in the east African nation.

Gender advocates, women leaders and policy makers who spoke to Xinhua on Tuesday agreed that Kenyan women remain on the margins despite affirmative action to elevate them in national leadership.

"That women managed to clinch only 14 seats in the national assembly during last week's polls is a clear indication that the country is miles away from attaining gender equality. To make the matters worse, no woman won a governor or senate seat," a grassroots women leader, Cecilia Kibe told Xinhua in Nairobi.

Kibe regretted that outdated cultural practices, poverty and violence denied female aspirants a chance to compete at the same footing with their male colleagues.

"Female candidates were openly taunted during campaigns while inadequate funds and general hostility distracted them from selling their manifesto to the public. We hope the incoming government will address all bottlenecks that deny women a chance to lead," said Kibe.

She revealed that civil society organizations conducted extensive civic education targeting female aspirants to increase their knowledge on electoral dynamics.

The new Kenyan constitution advances gender equality by proposing a mandatory one third representation by women at all levels of leadership.

Advocates noted that Kenya has established a progressive legal and policy framework to boost women representation in all branches of government including legislature, judiciary and cabinet.

"We have adopted international best practices to ensure that inclusiveness and fairness is adhered to during appointments to various positions in the public sector. Our constitutional is clear on the one third female representation in national institutions," the Chair, National Gender and Equality Commission, Winfred Lichuma commented during a television debate last week.

Lichuma noted that Kenya has made progress in the attainment of millennium development goal on gender equality though numerous obstacles must be cleared to ensure full participation of women in national affairs.

"Though we have a legal requirement on allocating a third of seats in public institutions to women, there are entrenched cultural and religious beliefs that marginalize women yet they have immense talents that can be harnessed to promote national development," said Lichuma.

She cited Rwanda, Ghana, South Africa and Malawi as some of the few African countries that have attained threshold in female representation in national offices.

Female aspirants at the just concluded general elections in Kenya overcame immense challenges to win national assembly and county seats.

According to Peris Tobiko, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Kajiado East, female candidates faced hostility from the conservative society while lack of funds and insecurity dampened their quest to vie for elective posts.

"Am proud to be the first female member of parliament from the Maasai community. The journey has not been easy and I have tried several times before only to lose the seat to male competitors," Tobiko said on Tuesday.

She vowed to join hands with the other thirteen female legislators to champion the rights of women and girls.

Tobiko pledged to mobilize parliamentarians to pass legislation that criminalize gender based violence, female genital mutilation and child marriages.

"A nation cannot thrive if half of its population is silenced, marginalized and denied leadership positions based on outdated customs. Kenyan women must be included in all decision making in order to accelerate social and economic progress," Tobiko said.