How female leaders became the face of Ol Kalou by-election

Women leaders have taken the helm in the Ol Kalou by-election scheduled for July 16, effectively eclipsing the two leading candidates in the contest.

While the UDA team has Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebeccah Miano coordinating Muchina Nyaga’s campaign, backed by Nyandarua Woman Rep Faith Gitau, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia strongly complementing Senator John Methu campaigning for Sammy Ngotho.

The by-election has also brought together two rivals, Wanjiku and Faith, whose political enmity started during the 2017 General Election when the Kipipiri MP lost to Gitau in the Woman Representative contest, leading to court battles where Faith won.

Also read: Politics or development? Questions over multi-billion-shilling projects ahead of Ol Kalou vote

This time, the two political arch-rivals are engaged in a tough political contest, each supporting a rival candidate.

Judging by the campaign strategies employed by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), President William Ruto appears to have placed his confidence in women leaders to tame his political adversary, the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, in the Ol Kalou by-elections.

Apart from Senator Methu's presence in the DCP campaign, women appear to have taken a more prominent role than men.

The biggest disadvantage for the DCP side is that the majority of female leaders are UDA loyalists, leaving Wanjiku to almost battle it alone in the women-dominated campaigns.

The unexpected involvement of CS Miano in the campaign seems to have compelled the DCP, the main competitor, to reassess its strategy to manage the growing presence of UDA in the constituency as the election date draws near.

Though she often operates behind the scenes, Miano's presence is strongly felt through her coordination of national government development projects. She also joins Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and other national leaders on inspections of development projects. Her influence is also evident in facilitating civic education through closed-door meetings targeting women and other interest groups.

On the other hand, there is the County Woman Rep, who appears in most public forums, with a backup of women leaders from across the country.

The growing presence of UDA women leaders, particularly following the unexpected involvement of the Tourism CS, has become a major concern for the DCP. The issue featured prominently during the party's aspirants' meeting in Wamunyoro village recently. 

DCP Secretary General John Methu acknowledged the challenge during a vernacular television interview on June 21.

“We know President William Ruto is certain DCP candidates will win these elections; he knows his party, UDA, has about 20 per cent of the followers. We want to reduce that margin so that the UDA candidate gets less than four per cent. If the UDA candidate gets 20 per cent of the votes, then it means that the President will be telling the world that he has 20 per cent of Ol Kalou votes,” said the senator.

The 20 per cent of eligible voters in Ol Kalau Constituency is 14,696, out of the 73,480 total votes.

But the UDA team of women is burning the midnight oil, with the CS literally camping in Nyandarua over the past few weeks.

Notably, unlike in Mbeere, where Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku were the main characters campaigning for Leo Wamuthende, CS Miano, who locals have always felt is a career woman, is showing the other side of her political leadership.

The same applies to the DCP, where former Speaker Justin Muturi and former Deputy President Rigathi dominated the Mbeere campaigns in support of the DP's candidate Newton Kariuki; their presence in Nyandarua is replaced by the Kipipiri MP, with occasional support from Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara.

Part of the UDAs campaign strategy adopted by the women leaders is consolidating women's votes through women-only forums. With such proper coordination, the teams are able to hold indoor meetings, then emerge to hold outdoor events targeting the general public.

The Tourism CS said her role is to ensure that the national government-funded projects are implemented as per the President's expectations.

Also read: Ol Kalou by-election draws 22 contestants

“Nyandarua is my home. I was here monitoring the implementation of the national government projects. Again, being my home county, I have a civic duty to ensure that our people make informed decisions ahead of polling day. I would be failing them if I did not provide the leadership and guidance that would help them make informed decisions. 

And truth be told, development projects can only come from the government of the day,” Miano told the Voice.

She noted that even before the Ol Kalou campaigns, she was involved in many other development projects across the county including youth empowerment programmes at Nyandarua National Polytechnic.

"Since I was appointed the CS, I have visited water projects in Kinangop, electrification projects, roads, and other projects; I do this together with other line cabinet secretaries. For example, on Friday, I joined Lands CS Alice Wahome in the issuance of title deeds to squatters," she said.

She added that apart from monitoring the implementation of national government projects, she is also in her home county to preach peace during the electioneering period, as seen in churches.

Miano noted that the development projects are ongoing in all parts of the country, but as a Nyandarua resident, she has a right to ensure residents make informed decisions.

The Cabinet Secretary said she was recently in Rumuruti for a public event, and that while development projects are happening countrywide, Nyandarua remains close to her heart.

"I have a special interest in Nyandarua since it's my home county. What I can assure the residents is that all national government projects will be completed before the elections next year," she said.

She cited the Ol Kalou Stadium, JM Level Four Hospital, affordable housing in Kinangop Constituency, and water and electrification projects as examples of progress, noting that her frequent appearances alongside other CSs and PSs at these sites are simply because Nyandarua is home.

"Some of the projects, especially the opening of the Nyandarua lands registry, are things that should have happened long ago. President Ruto is committed to having all these issues addressed; he is deliberate. With or without the by-elections, the projects must be completed," she said.

Another key figure working alongside the Tourism and Wildlife CS is Woman Rep Faith Gitau, with a heavy backup of UDA party officials, the majority of them women.

Among the women leaders consistently on Ol Kalou’s campaigns include Embu Governor Sicily Mbarire, Gender Affairs Principal Secretary Ann Wang'ombe, and Maendeleo ya Wanawake Nyandarua County, led by Chairlady Gladys Wanjiku Waweru and her Vice, Faith Nyambura Kairu, Kirinyaga and Nakuru governors Ann Waiguru, Susan Kihika, and CS Alice Wahome, among others.

Joy Wangechi, a resident of Ol Kalau said the involvement of women leaders is strategically meant to win the women's vote.

"Traditionally, women's voting patterns are almost similar; women are harder to convince but impossible to sway once they decide who to support," she explained.

She noted that targeting women through their groups is also strategic, since they easily relate to the issues discussed.

"The diplomatic approach by CS Miano should not be ignored; voters are likely to easily trust her since she is more of a professional and career woman than a politician," she said.

Janet Wamburu, another resident, said the involvement of the women leaders is meant to consolidate support among women voters.

“The targeted women voters are those who will rarely attend the political public barazas. These are mothers or elderly women busy with family and business or farming activities. Their decisions on whom to vote for mainly depend on who engages with them directly, through a one-on-one engagement. The women leaders are well organised and deliberate. The presence of Miano is a major boost to Woman Rep Faith Gitau, who was initially facing the DCP team almost alone,” said Janet.

Kipipiri MP Wanjiku, has also set up camp in Ol Kalou, aggressively campaigning for Ngotho.

“Wanjiku is doing her best to complement Senator Methu. Her contribution to the DCP campaigns is immeasurable. She is giving the UDA campaign a tough challenge; we are proud of her,” said Miriam Wambui, a local voter.

IEBC Ol Kalou returning officer Anthony Njiraini confirmed that 73,480 voters will be eligible to vote in the July 16, by-elections.

“Our data indicates that we have 73,480 eligible voters; these include 72,997 voters who registered by 2022, while the remainder were registered before the death of the late MP David Kiaraho,” said Njiraini.

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