By Fridah Okachi
Data/Fact checker Journalist
Women population is lightly higher compare to their male counterpart in Kenya. However this is yet to reflect in elective positions. For many years women leadership have been experiencing challenges. The most recent is two third gender rule. This has been skeptical despite the county having legal framework. Article 100 of the Constitution of Kenya requires parliament to enact a law to promote the representation in parliament of women, persons with disabilities, youth, ethnic minorities and other minority and marginalized groups.
In 2013 election, No woman was elected governor position. Five years later three women were successful elected as governors during the 2017 general elections. The three are Charity Ngilu (Kitui) Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga) and the late Joyce Laboso (Bomet). As the country prepares towards the 2022 general election so far twenty three women have shown interest to contest for the gubernatorial seat in different counties.
In the capital county Nairobi, business woman Agnes Kagure, Bishop Margaret Wanjiru and the current Nairobi governor Ann Kananu are vying for the gubernatorial seat. Agnes Kagure has said that she is vying for the seat to enhance the change in the capital city of Kenya.
“I will give Nairobians a platform to excel and a platform to reclaim the dignity and that what I have said that we will remove to the city of lamentation to the city of Jubilation. You see there has been a good security here, so one of the things I will do is to enhance security in the city and to make every effort to reduce the congestion in the city’’, said Agnes Kagure.
In 2017 general election Kenyans made history by electing three female senators; Margaret Kamar (Uasin gishu), Dullo Fatuma Adan (Isiolo) and Susan Kihika (Nakuru County). In Nairobi city county so far three women who are trying their luck to succeed Johnson Sakaja. The three are: Karen Nyamu (UDA), Faith Naroh Lukosi (Jubilee) Ashura Michael (ODM).
In Dagoretti north constituency one of the capital city’s constituency a dozen of women have thrown their heist in parliamentary seat.
Mary Alivista is one of them.
‘’IEBC has played a big role to ensure that the two third gender rule is accomplished and this has attracted many women in the country. “You see many women are vying for this seats even those with disabilities are out now. Per now we hope most of us we will be nominated to vie for the seats. we are willing to lead. For me I have decided to vie because am a leader who have done different things in this country such as playing a role in constitution change and also being a leaders ta county assembly. For now Dagoretti north needs a change’’. Said ALiviza.
During women in political leadership launch, Beth Siengo, ODM women league President Secretariat said, that as ODM they have experienced a change with the increase number of women therefore putting a target of having 10 female governors, 10 female senator, 20 members of parliament and 5 female member of county assembly per county.
“ODM party will be giving 5 direct tickets for female in the ward per county. This means the strategy is to support those women by giving them the direct ticket in paying some nomination fees, party fees and IEBS fees. This will enhance the number to increase in the county assembly’’, Said Siengo.
County assemblies in the last general elections did not met the two third gender rule. Nairobi with 85 wards only 5 managed to be elected directly by the people.
According to registrar of political parties Anne Nderitu, said out of 82 registered parties, 7 parties are led by women. Despite parties giving opportunities to women to be secretary general which is 21 percent, she called out on women to grab the leadership and stop wasting time of waiting male leaders to call them on table.
