The Association of Media Women in Kenya has urged the media to highlight women candidates to ensure balanced coverage during the election.

Speaking yesterday in Naivasha during a media workshop, gender consultant Wanjiku Mbugua said many female candidates feel the media is unfair since they give male candidate more air time in comparison to them.

She said it is evident that media gives male candidates almost all the prime time slots while the women are left out.

Mbugua said if the media increases coverage of female contenders, a number of them are bound to win more seats in the coming general election.

She said women who have decided to vie for elective posts have sacrificed a lot since they have to go against cultural dictates that attempt to hold them back.

"Campaigning for women candidates has been an uphill task since they have limited resources and some are in constant fear of sharing the same platform with their male counterparts," she said.