THURSDAY 28, FEBRUARY 2019
NAIROBI.
By Gabriel Ndeleva
Governor Charity Ngilu on Thursday called on women to fight for higher elective posts in 2022 General elections.
Speaking at a UN Women plenary session targeting how women political leaders can move up to higher levels of political leadership,
“Ngilu called on the 47 elected Women Representatives not to seek re-election in their current posts but shift and run as Member of Parliament in the constituency in their Counties
” I call upon these elected women representatives, to identify a Constituency to run as an MP and let other women vie for the Women Rep position,” Ngilu said.
She further urged the UN Women and other groups, to move to the grassroots, identify women leaders there, train them and motivate them to run for elective offices.
“I am a living testimony for I am where I am, because of Prof. Maria Nzomo. She motivated me, trained me on how to talk to people, back in 1992, and on December 29, the same year, I was the MP for Kitui Central constituency,” she said.
“I did it to other women and now they are in elective posts. The likes of Cecily Mbarire, Rachael Kaki, and Peris Tobiko among others, Women just need to be injected with the right motivation” She affirmed.
Governor Ngilu told them that it doesn’t matter which party one seeks to be elected on.”What matters is how you distinguish yourself, how you plan for your people, one’s capabilities and what people see when they look at you.”
She challenged the women to take advantage of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s hope of Kenya having a female president.
“Am happy the President is saying he’s hoping that Kenya can have a female President, let’s ride on that, but it won’t be given to us, we have to fight for it, plan smart so as to outsmart the other competitors”, Ngilu added
“We can set minimums in the new constitution of the new leadership, that if the president will be a man either the Deputy President or the Prime Minister must be a woman. That’s the way to go, and the time is now”, Ngilu added.
Prof Margaret Kobia, the Cabinet Secretary for Gender Affairs who was the Chief Guest supported the Governor’s sentiments and added that the positive impact one impacts on their electorate are what guarantees them re-election or higher political offices.
The launch was attended by Zebib S. Kavuma, the UN Women Country Director, CS Margret Kobia, CAS Rachael Shebesh, MPs Alice Wahome MP Gandara, Fatuma Dhulo Senator IsioloCounty ex-minister Martha Karua, Ms. Caroline Agwanda. Linah Jebii Kilimo, Rachael Kaki Mp Kitui South, Millie Odhiambo MP Mbita, Chair Kenya Water Institute Wavinya Ndeti, Rosa Buyu Women Rep Kisumu other elected women leaders among others.
Ends
