- If elected, it would mark a first in a society deemed predominantly patriarchal.
- Ong'era said even at political forums, women are given little time to explain their thoughts on development.
Image: ALVIN RATEMO
Women gubernatorial hopefuls in Kisii say the time is ripe for one of them to lead the county.
If elected, it would mark a first in a society deemed predominantly patriarchal.
No woman has ever been elected to any major political office since Independence, save for seats preserved for them.
In Kisii county assembly, only one woman has been elected as a ward rep in the male-dominated field.
There are at least two women hopefuls who have shown interest in the Kisii gubernatorial contest.
UDA’s Rachel Otundo on Monday asked the electorate to give women a chance at the governorship.
She said now that men have had 10 years in office as governor, it is time women were also tested to see if they can deliver.
Otundo, a land quantity surveyor, wants the seat to be rotated between genders rather than regions as suggested by other politicians.
"It is a fast changing world. We need to give women a chance too. We urge our people to begin trusting us with leadership as it is happening in other counties," she said.
Otindo joins ODM’s Janet Ong'era in demanding a say in politics.
The duo would, however, have to go through gruelling party nominations if they are to get a chance at the ballot to battle for the coveted seat.
Residents of Gusii, said Otundo, should catch up and learn to trust that women can equally run the county.
"It is happening in other devolved units across the country. Women, given a chance, can manage resources better and set a better pace for economic development as opposed to men," she said.
She appealed to the voters to change the thinking that only men can be effective political leaders.
Otundo will be squaring it out with former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara for the UDA ticket.
Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi appears to be headed back to ODM from UDA.
He is expected to defect formally at a later date at Orange House.
Maangi is expected to tussle it out with Senator Sam Ongeri, Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati and Ong'era for the ticket when the defection is formalised.
ODM deputy chairperson Wycliffe Oparanya challenged Maangi to declare his official stand ahead of the party nominations for the gubernatorial contest.
Ong'era, while speaking at a church function on Sunday, said women have similar, if not more, potential than their male counterparts to engage in proper leadership practices.
According to the UN, equality is still far off despite women’s increased engagement in public decision-making roles.
Women hold about 21 per cent of ministerial positions globally and only three countries have 50 per cent or more women in Parliament, and 22 countries are headed by women.
At the current rate of progress, gender equality will not be reached among heads of government until 2150, another 130 years, the global agency says in a report.
Ong’era told the Star that Kenya was still dragging its feet in ensuring gender equality in political leadership.
She cited rigid traditional practices that tend to shape the perception that only men were inherently designed to lead.
Ong'era said even at political forums, women are given little time to explain their thoughts on development.
"They are often considered a political appendage which should not be so. Women are thinkers in their own right. They should not be engaging in activism to be recognised," Ong'era said.
(edited by Amol Awuor)