Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has challenged women to seek elective posts instead of waiting to be nominated by political parties.
Wavinya said women should not shy away from politics and must present themselves to be elected and fight it out with their male counterparts in general elections.
“Women should not fear to present themselves for elective positions, they should not expect anything to be given to them on a silver platter,” Governor Wavinya said.
She noted that although Kenya’s political scene is marred by misogyny and insults, women should develop a thick skin for them to be elected as leaders.
“When seeking political seats women face a lot of challenges including threats, insults, and sometimes violence but these should not discourage us,” added Wavinya.
She observed that the electorate’s confidence in women’s leadership has increased over the last ten years due to their transformative agenda.
“With the advent of devolution in 2013 no woman governor was elected, however in 2017 three women were elected and the number increased to seven in the 2022 General Election an indication that the electorate is embracing women leaders,” added the governor.
She noted that Kenya was lagging behind in terms of women’s leadership in East Africa and underscored the need to bridge the gender gap.
She spoke at Mavoko subcounty headquarters Saturday when she handed bursary cheques to women nominated Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).
By Roselyne Kavoo
