Sabina Chege agitates for women leadership
Murang’a Woman representative Sabina Chege addresses the press during the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association Conference at Wild Waters in Mombasa on June 17, 2015. She has urged women to seek elective seats. PHOTO | KEVON ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- She further appealed to them to avoid depending on being nominated by their respective parties.
- The Woman rep said women contribute to the country's development.
Murang’a Woman representative Sabina Chege has urged women to seek more political representation ahead of the elections.
Ms Chege said women have the capability of being great leaders and hence should not shy away from seeking public office.
"For better governance and prosperity, I challenge women to rise up and contest for public offices," she said.
Speaking in Makuyu Teachers College after opening a sensitisation forum on women and leadership, she further appealed to them to avoid depending on being nominated by their respective parties, saying that is not the only way of getting into leadership.
In the last election, not a single woman was elected as governor or senator, and none in Murang’a vied for either positions.
Only Kandara MP Alice Wahome was elected as a legislator out of seven constituencies in Murang'a.
Women aspirants have complained about harassment ranging from physical to verbal abuse from supporters of their opponents.
They have also said they do not have the capital to conduct campaigns unlike their male counterparts, which limits their engagement.
The two thirds gender rule has not yet been fully implemented.
In this year's polls, several women have come forth and declared interest in both the gubernatorial and senatorial seats.
In Murang'a Mary Waithera, wants to be the MP for Murang'a and Ruth Mwaniki for Kigumo.
The Woman rep, who is also the chairperson of the National Assembly's education committee, said women contribute to the country's development.
For those competing for elective positions, she advised them to prepare for a gruesome battle, but not to capitulate.
