Various female aspirants have appealed to the voters in Luo Nyanza to consider increasing the number of elected female leaders in the region.
While speaking to LRB, the women gunning for various seats from Member of County Assembly (MCA) to Member of Parliament (MP) posts noted their concerns.
According to them other than the position of Woman Representative, provided for in law,it would make a big political investment for the region to consider electing more women in other elective positions.
Why Women
Caroline Owen who is seeking the Kisumu North MCA position,said the region needs more female leaders in order to experience better economic development.
She further cited the need to bring back the glory the region had with the pioneer women political leaders like Mama Grace Onyango and Mama Phoebe Asiyo who performed well during their peaks.
“These two women came out and made a name for themselves and the women of Kenya. It is possible to do some the things they did today and be celebrated through the many of us vying in the forthcoming elections,” she said.
Market Milimani Ward hopeful Hellen Apiyo,also said that women who have come out to face off men should be given a chance to show what alternatives they are offering.
“I am, for instance, up a perceived strong candidate and some people have used my gender to try and talk me out of the race but I have told them the age old mantra that what a man can do, a woman can do better.” she said.
The Female Aspirants
In Karachuonyo constituency, where the icon Phoebe Asiyo represented, management specialist Nereah Oketch is seeking to rewrite history and become the second woman MP.
“This is the constituency that catapulted Mama Asiyo into the icon that she is today and since she left, we have only had men as MPs,” she said.
“Through my candidature, our people have another opportunity to sit on the right side of political history,” she furthered.
Other than the four positions for Woman Representatives, the region has Dr. Eve Obara in Kabondo, Dr. Lilian Gogo in Rangwe and Millie Mabona in Suba North as MPs.
In the next elections, if voted in, the region could have the first female governors with Gladys Wanga in Homabay and Dr. Pamella Odhiambo in Migori, Rosa Buyu as Kisumu West MP among the others.