Opinion polls have shown there are two leading contenders for the presidency, not in any way reducing the relevance of the other two. The voters have their say, even the minority.
Most recently, much attention has been on the running mates of the top two candidates. Martha Karua has been hailed as everything a progressive, hopeful, decent and mature society could hope for. Raila Odinga has impressed upon Kenyans that he is a man who believes in the ability of women and one who endorses all the admirable values and character that Karua represents.
It is the hope of the promise that a government of Raila and Karua carries in the imagination and expectations of Kenyans, which has made the duo a darling of the Kenyan electorate. More aptly put, Raila’s selection of Karua as his deputy team captain has evidently turned out to be the best choice he could ever make.
In a very short span of time, the popularity of Raila’s ticket and political camp has risen exponentially and from the look of things, it should even be higher. Karua continues to make history in the progress of women in leadership, both in Kenya and Africa at large, where their proportion in leadership has been growing at a slow pace.
The election of Raila and Karua, making her the first woman deputy president of Kenya, and the most powerful woman carries a huge promise.
As Justice minister in Mwai Kibaki and Raila’s grand coalition government, she proved to be beyond compromise and reproach. She executed her role precisely and firmly, without going back on her principles.
You will recall she was Kibaki’s fiercest campaigner and defender in the 2007 polls. However, when she differed with his government, she gracefully and respectfully resigned, as a matter of principle, to amplify her displeasure.
In her political career, Karua’s profile is devoid of graft and misconduct taint. In a time when Kenyans are only hoping the war on corruption can only get fiercer and more effective, she is the right pick for the job. Kenyans will heave a sigh of relief when the more than one third of the national budget that has previously been lost to graft will be saved and channeled to projects that benefit wananchi.
The Iron Lady is among the first lot of high-achieving women in the legal profession and politics. She is rightfully praised among others as the inspiration for many high-flying women and young girls. Her election alongside Raila will be a huge declaration that women are capable of doing great things.
As things stand, not many women are confident enough to venture into politics because the level of motivation for them is still relatively low, given few women make it to be elected. Seeing her success, many women and girls and indeed in the whole of Africa will be motivated to go hard and achieve what they aspire to.
The success of youthful Barack Obama in 2008 had a huge global impact on the young people who saw first-hand the manifestation of his slogan, “Yes We Can”. The success of Karua will have a similar effect on all women, not just in Kenya, but also across Africa, where the potential of women has not been amplified enough.
There has been the constitutional hitch on gender in representation. While this is easily achievable for the appointive positions, the elective positions still present a challenge. The reason for this is the general position of the electorate.
Voters need to see women in high position doing marvelous work, and as a result, they will have more confidence in their leadership, thus easily electing more to Parliament and county assemblies.
With her good governance credentials, integrity, principle and respect for hierarchy, it is expected that Kenya will perform greatly, further securing her position as the gateway to Africa through the east.
A stable Kenya will be able to foster unity and stability in the East African region, promoting local and continental trade that is good for Africa.
Kenya plays an important role in east and central Africa for peace, stability, trade expansion and growth. Karua’s principles pose her as a good, respectful and loyal assistant to the President, able to maintain a sustainable working relationship that will work wonders for Kenya’s growth and development.
A stable Kenya exports stability to the region, and a stable region is what the entire Africa would hope for. She is a gift to Kenya.
