Only 7 Per cent of Women have been elected as Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) in Migori County.
The 2017-2022 County Assembly saw the same percentage of Women MCAs. Of great concern is the fact that not a single woman was elected in the two elective posts; Member of Parliament (MP) or MCAs in Kuria region that is still infamous for condoning Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
In 2017, Susan Mohabe was elected as the first Kuria Woman MCAs representing Nyamosense-Komosoko Ward in Kuria West Constituency. Kuria region has 11 wards.
There is a likelihood that the number of women MCAs would have increased in the County but two elected women in the last house failed to defend their seats after losing in the ODM nominations.
However, three women defied all odds by being elected as new members of the County Assembly and ensured that their percentage is maintained in the County chambers.
Ms. Eunice Odii and Ms. Beatrice Onyancha won their respective wards on an ODM ticket, a dominant political party in the County. Odii will represent Central Kanyamkago in Uriri Constituency while Onyancha will represent the Ragana-Oruba Ward in Suna West Constituency.
Esther Migose on the other hand went against the ODM wave to be elected as the new MCA for Central Sakwa Ward in Awendo Constituency as an Independent candidate.
Other women in Migori County’s Kuria region that sought elective posts but lost include gubernatorial aspirants Ms. Maroa Rebecca (UDA) and Ms. Marwa Jane (UPIA) who finished fifth and sixth with 6,563 and 5,994 votes respectively. The Migori gubernatorial seat was won by Ochilo Ayacho.
By Geoffrey Makokha
