- She said it is common to see people seeking county assembly seats get more time while those seeking higher offices are locked out.
- Wiper woman rep aspirant Donya Toto said the community needs to change its attitude towards women.
Image: Alice Waithera
Women seeking elective seats in Kisii want more political space to help them sell their agenda to the electorate.
They claim their male counterparts are allocated more time than them during campaigns.
Jubilee woman representative aspirant Peris Onsarigo is among some of the hopefuls calling for more visibility for female aspirants.
On Tuesday, Onsarigo said the situation gets worse at burials events, where women aspirants are often sidelined.
She said it is common to see people seeking county assembly seats get more time while those seeking higher offices are locked out.
"We often ask ourselves why should this discrimination take place. Picture this scenario where six ward rep aspirants are given an opportunity to speak while we are told to sit down and listen," Onsarigo said.
She said it is time for the society to begin viewing women as capable leaders and not sex objects.
"In other areas women are getting elected, in fact without splurging huge amounts of money,"she said.
Women, she added can make better leaders than men especially when it comes to integrity in financial management.
"Most of us can't hire bouncers to beef our security, so they easily bulldoze us in politial rallies. This is where men do better," she said.
She said her community is yet to overcome some cultural barriers, which suppress women ambitions for political office.
"We are still seen people who belong to the kitchen and the bedroom. This is something we are struggling to overcome . We are seeing some adjustments but not at the pace we anticipated," Onsarigo said.
Wiper woman rep aspirant Donya Toto said the community needs to change its attitude towards women.
"We have so many examples of where women have been elected as president and they excelled," Donya said.
"The only way to get out is by consciously voting women to office. Let's test them through the ballot."
The woman rep seat has attracted more than six aspirants.
They include Jackline Karani (DAP-K), Janet Ongera (ODM), Teresa Oroo (UDA) and Fortuna Ngare (ANC).
(Edited by Tabnacha O)