Women hopeful Karua will change leadership in Kenya

Women leaders are calling Martha Karua’s naming as Raila Odinga running mate a turning point for women’s leadership in Kenya.

The Women Mediators Network of Kenya said women’s time had come.

They spoke on Tuesday at a press conference organised by the African Women Leaders Network to celebrate the Narc Kenya leader’s achievement.

ALWN chairperson Jennifer Riria said for years women have struggled to gain access to the decision making table and inclusion in all leadership spaces, with little success.

“In between, we have had several women rise to various positions including the recent appointment of the first ever female Chief Justice Martha Koome but Karua’s appointment is pivotal,” she said.

Riria said she is certain it has opened the gates for girls and women to rise to the highest levels of leadership in Kenya because they can see it's possible.

“You are the first but certainly not the last. You have reinforced to the country and the world that indeed, women are capable and available,” she said to Karua.

The chairperson said they are elated not just because a woman has been chosen as a running mate but because a woman of great character has been chosen.

“When Raila made the announcement, no serious person questioned her credentials, standing in society and leadership capabilities on the basis of her gender,” she said.

Riria further lauded the Azimio leader for daring to appoint a woman as his principal assistant, saying his decision would pay off.

The women said they shall continue to to stand in full support of political coalitions and leaders who support and affirm women.

However, they said the move to appoint Karua, positive as it was, is simply not enough.

“The women of Kenya deserve much more and at the very least demand for total compliance with the constitutional threshold, of not more than two-thirds of either gender for appointive, elective and nominative positions,” Riria said.

That, she said, is the bare minimum that women expect from leaders.

Njeri Kaberei, one of the mediators, said women have been trying to achieve the two-thirds gender rule and even tried pushing for a female president but it was never possible through the means used before.

“There have been other women who have also been named running mates and made a bid for presidency other than Karua.

"The difference with her appointment is that she is known and accepted across the nation. All of us will be rallying for her, when we go back to our respective counties,” she said.

She said women voters and women networks in Kenya are monitoring the nominations of aspirants and running mates with keen interest and they will advise voters accordingly.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)