KISII, Kenya, Dec 9- Women’s struggle for inclusion and equal representation in politics has been difficult and drawn out.
Their participation in governance is one of the best ways to tackle gender inequality not just in leadership but in all aspects of life.
In Kenya, the representation of women in the 12th Parliament stands at 23.3 percent, the highest since independence but the lowest in the East Africa region.
In the past few years, the Kenyan government has demonstrated an unwillingness to implement legal Frameworks to support Women in politics.
For 10 years, Kenya’s legislators have failed to enact a law to implement a two-thirds gender rule set down in the 2010 constitution.
Research released by Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) in July 2021, indicates that in the 2017 elections, women outspent men in all elective posts except in the senate.
Women spent an average of Sh23.6 million running for the national assembly seats while their male counterparts spent an average of Sh17 million.
A study in 2015 by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy indicates that the creation of the Women Representative’s seat, (which is now referred to as the County Member of Parliament,) in the national assembly has fed a perception that other elected seats are reserved for men.
This has caused an obstacle for women seeking elective constituency seats, with some of their male competitors exploiting this perception arguing that women have their seats already reserved.
The research indicates that in 2017, twenty females contested for the senate seats and only three were elected while 298 women contested for women representative seat and 47 were elected, 131 women contested for Member of Parliament seat and only 23 were elected and 900 women contested for a member of the county assembly and 98 were elected.
Ahead of the 2022 general elections, women intending to get into politics will be facing challenges that include; high cost of elections, violence, patriarchy, gender stereotypes, lack of political goodwill, and many other factors.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Dr. Benard Mogesa, stereotyping remains a major challenge for women seeking political positions.
“Exclusion stereotyping and gender-based violence remain the greatest obstacle to meaningful participation of women in political, economic and social decision making processes in Africa despite the presence of robust legislative and policy frameworks,” he told Shahidi News.
Janet Ongera who served as the Managing Director at the Kenya Airports Authority began her political journey by joining KANU and later ODM where she was appointed the Party’s Executive Director.
“My service to the party paid off in 2013 when I was nominated to the senate where I also became the Deputy minority Whip,” she said.
In 2017 she decided to go for the County Member of Parliament’s seat under the ODM party, a strategy that worked perfectly for her.
“It wasn’t easy, my winning strategy was a joint campaign with the senatorial and gubernatorial aspirants under the ODM party and I believe that worked perfectly for me.”
-Challenges-
One of the challenges women in politics face is the stereotype that they should be married before coming out to contest for elective seats.
Ong’era was not married nor had children but this did not stop her ambitions of contesting for an elective seat.
She noted that her political party played a vital role in her win since it was also the most popular party in the region.
Right now, her scorecard of affirmative action is almost complete and she believes she has delivered to her best.
Ongera, now aspiring for the gubernatorial position in the 2022 elections, says her political journey has inspired her to go for the County’s top seat despite all obstacles she has faced. She is all geared up and ready to face off whoever will be contesting for the Kisii gubernatorial seat at the 2022 general elections.
Though there are many contestants who have shown an interest in the Kisii gubernatorial seat including the current senator Sam Ongeri, Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati, Chris Obure, Nyaribari Masaba MP Ezekiel Machogu, Rachel Otundo and Former MP South Mugirango Omingo Magara. Ongera believes that voters trust her more because of her work record.
Betty Syengo the Orange Democratic Movement’s Women’s League president attributes financial constraints as another major obstacle that affects female aspirants which affects them during political campaigns.
She also noted women are subjected to violence during elections period forcing a number of them to withdraw from the race or reduce the base of their campaigns.
“Right now, the ODM national women league team is going around the country to meet women who have shown an interest in any political seat and we are trying to empower them as they plan to carry out their campaigns, “ she said.
Rosemary Osano, assistant Project Manager at International Solidarity foundation said stereotyping of women leaders from members of the public and also by male counterparts has halted their progress, with many opting to pull back and stop participating in politics.
She says society views women as weaker vessels and their space is limited to taking care of their homesteads but not participating in governance.
“Despite all these challenges a number of women from different communities have come out contested and won a number of seats, and they are role models to upcoming women who are intending to contest for different seats in the coming general elections, “ said Osano.
Dismus Mokua a political analyst says that women contesting for political seats should understand the political environment that they are operating in and also issues limiting their growth, to win and address them effectively.
Mokua Said that in some communities, beliefs have an upper hand in limiting women participating in politics but with new political dynamics they have seen this fading away and these communities are now accepting women in politics.
“Women should not go for Political positions and expect to be elected because they are women but demonstrate leadership qualities and convince the public to vote for them,” said Mokua.
He noted political parties have formed women and youth leagues to encourage women and youth to fully participate in politics.
“Politics is dirty and a number of women with quality leadership skills fear joining this game, we assure them we have reforms and laws that will protect them, ” he added.
Senior counsel Jackline Ingutia clearly points out the gap in legislation to implement the two-third gender rule, especially the lack of commitment by the Kenyan parliament.
She says apart from the Kenyan constitution allowing women to participate in politics, international conventions such as the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, Maputo Protocol have outlined women rights and women participation in politics.
“We have witnessed a lack of political goodwill from political parties in the nomination processes; it’s not clear, there is also the issue of violence meted on women and this puts the brakes on women who want to get into politics, “ he said.
The writer, Rosemary Onchari is a Kenyan journalist with years of experience as a Human Interest,Political, Court and Security reporter. She is also a member of the Crime Journalist Association of Kenya (CJAK).
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
