Homa Bay set to have record four female MPs

Homa Bay County is set to have four female MPs in the next Parliament, if the status quo created by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nomination remains in the August 8 General Election.

Three female aspirants bagged ODM tickets in the party’s nominations conducted in the county on Monday last week.

Ms Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), Dr Lilian Gogo (Rangwe) and Ms Evelyn Obara (Kabondo Kasipul) trounced their male competitors in hotly contested races.

HOUSE TORCHED
Ms Odhiambo defended her seat with 9,553 votes, beating her rival, businessman Jim Akali, who got 7,967.

Mr Akali vowed to seek the seat as an independent contestant.

Ms Odhiambo’s political tribulations saw her house in Koyani village burnt by goons.

Her aide was also run over by a motorcade allegedly belonging to her rivals.

Ms Odhiambo, a native of Rusinga Island has suffered the brunt of gender stereotyping in political circles.

Her male rivals have referred to her as migogo (a woman married outside the community), who should not be chosen for an elective position in her own home area, according to them.

“My rivals have gone ahead to say that I should go and seek elective position elsewhere and not in this constituency,” Ms Odhiambo said.

Ms Odhiambo’s career started in 2007 when she was a nominated MP. She was elected MP for Mbita in 2013.

SCHOLARSHIPS

In Rangwe, Dr Lilian Gogo, a lecturer at Egerton University, trounced the incumbent George Oner.

Dr Gogo attributed her success to projects she says she has initiated in the constituency targeting youth, women and girls.

“I have started several life-changing programmes for the constituents. I deserve to be elected,” she said.

Dr Gogo runs mentorship initiatives in the constituency where disadvantaged students receive scholarships.

Her entry into politics was in 2005 during the senatorial by-election in Homa Bay when Mr Oner supported Maendeleo Party’s Philip Okundi.

Dr Gogo then led a successful a campaign for Senator Moses Kajwang’ in the constituency.

GIRL-CHILD CAMPAIGNS
Former Kenya Literature Bureau chief executive Evelyn Obara won the ODM ticket to contest in Kabondo Kasipul after defeating Mr Sylvans Osele.

Ms Obara garnered 7,191 against Mr Osele’s 5,296.

Ms Obara pegs her success to development projects she says she has initiated in the constituency in the past five years.

“My people have elected me because of the life-changing projects I have initiated in the constituency for the last five years,” Ms Obara said.

Ms Obara has led girl-child campaigns in the county, thrusting her support for affirmative action causes into the limelight.

“I am passionate about issues affecting the girl child. It is a cause I am determined to pursue once elected,” said Ms Obara.

If the three are elected in August, then the county will have four legislators in the National Assembly including Woman Representative Gladys Wanga who got a direct ticket from the party, having no opponents challenging her for the seat.

GENDER RULE
Ms Wanga’s political clout grew when she defeated Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma to become the county’s ODM chairperson.

Ms Wanga also attributes her political stardom to affirmative action campaigns she has led in the county.

In the county, gender equality campaigner Phoebe Asiyo became the first woman lawmaker.

Ms Asiyo became the MP for Karachuonyo at a time when few women would be elected.

Ms Asiyo told the Nation that the victory of the three women aspirants was the hallmark of democracy and a positive move towards realisation of the two-thirds gender rule.

“I am delighted by the victory of the three female aspirants in the ODM nominations. It indicates progress in realisation of the two-thirds gender rule,” Ms Asiyo said.

Other women who vied for parliamentary slots in the county but lost were Ms Judy Kamaria (Suba North) and Jacky Nyandeje (Suba South).

ODM enjoys support in the county and winning its ticket to contest in any seat is a head start for contestants.