Ally Jamah and Winnie Kamau
Women made their best showing in the National Assembly where at least 14 of them were elected directly by voters in addition to the 47 slots women representatives they will be having in the critical law-making body.
In comparison, women aspirants made a disappointing showing in other seats including Governor and Senate, where the few that were running for the posts were all floored by their male rivals.
In the Presidential race, the only woman candidate Martha Karua made a poor showing despite being among the most popular in the Presidential debates shortly before the polls.
Among the women elected to the National Assembly is former Nominated MP Millie Odhiambo who clinched Mbita Constituency, while university lecturer Jessica Mbalu was elected in Kibwezi West constituency and Regina Ndambuki is the new Kilome MP.
Mrs Kaki Nyamai clinched Kitui South Constituency while Ms Mary Emase made history by capturing the Teso North constituency on her first attempt on an URP ticket. Special Programmes minister Esther Murugi remains as Nyeri Town MP while assistant minister Cecily Mbarire is expected to win the Runyenjes seat.
Former Cabinet Minister Prof Hellen Sambili fought a strong tide against her to retain her Mogotia parliamentary seat on a KANU ticket as well as Dr Joyce Laboso who retained her Sotik position.
The voters in the constituency said that her development record including equal distribution of resources and her association with the community earned her the re-election.Kipkisuit Cheruiyot a voter from the constituency said that Prof. Sambili has people at heart beyond personal interests.He added that she is capable of developing the constituency.
“Sambili is a development leader who handles issues without discrimination. She is in addition a woman of substance that is why she shines among men,”Cheruiyot said.
In the newly created Baringo South constituency Grace Jelagat Kipchoim of URP was elected as the new Member of Parliament.The new Ruiru constituency was captured by Esther Gathogo in a tight race while Ms Peris Tobiko, fought off deep-seated prejudice against women to be the first woman Mp for Kajiado East.
Former Gender Minister Dr Naomi Shaban struggled against well-financed male counterparts to clinch the Taveta seat with newcomers Alice Ng’ang’a being the new Thika Town.
Alice Wahome is the new star in Kandara constituency while Mary Wambui defied opposition from President Mwai Kibaki’s endorsement of her rival to win the Othaya seat decisively and making her first entry into Parliament.
Mr Uhuru Kenyatta’s TNA has the highest number of women headed to Parliament, with six from Central Kenya.
In the previous Parliament, most of the women MPs were from Riftvalley but this time, they appear to be coming mostly from Central Kenya.
In the Governor race, Former Central Bank deputy governor Jacinta Mwatela lost in Taita Taveta governor race, while Cabinet minister Prof Margaret Kamar and assistant minister Wavinya Ndeti also lost the governorship in Uasin Gishu and Machakos. Regarding the Senate race, Charity Ngilu lost her bid for bid for senate.
The Gubernatorial seat in the Rift Valley attracted no woman candidate in the six Counties in the region including Nakuru, Kericho, Bomet, Narok, Baringo and Samburu counties.The senatorial seat attracted two women in Nakuru County among 12 candidates who were in the race.
The two women candidates were Jayne Kihara who was vied for the seat on Narc-K ticket and Josepha Wambui Mambo of Grand National Union (GNU). The two were however unsuccessful in their bid.
More women are expected to make it to the National Assembly and Senate through the party lists submitted by political parties to the IEBC
No comments:
Post a Comment