Well heeled, shrewd and ambitious. Kenya’s female politicians have all the tools to save Wanjiku. But they don’t. Wanjiku’s body is being dragged around political stages, propped up with a cigar in her mouth. But this election is not about her.
The 2022 general election is about rich men persuading poor men they are the least worst option. But first, they have to persuade rich men. Wanjiku is irrelevant. She’s just a prop. So are women.
So how did Wanjiku die? Well, she died the most savage death. Worse, she died while fighting so hard to live.
Individually successful, collectively failing, did female politicians help or hurt Wanjiku? Do women politicians make a difference to women? How many try? To solve this mystery let’s go back in time.
Years ago, Wanjiku was not well off, but she had a spring in her step. Hope, the food we live on. Hope of equality, safety, justice, opportunity, ending police and other harassment, dreams of education, work, ending period poverty, hope of ending sex trafficking, dreams of living with dignity, hope for her children. Maybe one day, by God, she would be someone!
Wanjiku watched as the fund for children was looted not once, but twice and women in politics did nothing. Or worse, did something.
She watched as men, seeking her vote, couldn’t even turn up to vote for the one-third gender rule and women politicians capitulated. Oh they shouted a bit, but quietened down. No walkout, no effective protest, no real leadership.
After all, many owed their positions to men. Better focus on his agenda. It’s not like they’re there to represent women. Even though they represent women. How we miss Wangari Maathai! In truth, it was the agitation of entire generations of good women and men that gave women leaders opportunity.
Then slum demolitions came, fragile houses of the poorest women torn down and people left to the elements. Wanjiku scrambled in terror for her meagre belongings. Still. Women politicians collectively? Silent, ineffective, irrelevant?
Oh, there were tweets. Noises. But it wasn’t them and their children, wept Wanjiku. Did they visit? Help those women, whose voice they were supposed to be? Women she voted for. How many women politicians are in Nairobi alone? How many did something?
Wanjiku sobbed, I am truly alone. Even Fida, that formerly glorious force…where was she? Darkness swept over her. Just like it swept over women in the drought of a North empty of dams. Somewhere, another Woman Humans Rights Defender was beaten (Faith Mutuku’s article on WHRD). Yet a record number of women occupied political office.
Soon Wanjiku (from heaven) will watch as Parliament potentially legislates that sex and gender are different and gender can be whatever you decide. Even her daughters' right to identity and fair opportunity will be gone. Women will probably vote for that too. When a Western man competed as a woman against Kenyan women in the 2020 Olympics, what did the female CS do?
There's still time to do something. Where are the female presidential contenders? Charity Ngilu and Martha Karua are the best known female leaders. Stepping forward, or back? Do they have an agenda for the 50 per cent? Will women back them? Maybe. Maybe this time.
For Wanjiku, it’s too late. But her daughters still need hope. They need women leaders they can respect. And so does the country.
Senior finance expert
