Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has lauded Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho in what she termed standing out of a crowd to be counted among change makers in leadership and democracy of this country.
Speaking during the weekend in Mombasa Waiguru said Joho was the first man to accept invitation of the women led Embrace Movement that is in support of the peace efforts by President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga
“We have never been elsewhere with a male governor in all the tours we’ve had; Joho therefore retains his number one position like his Mombasa county ranking first in the country,” said Waiguru.
She added that the governor’s support for the Embrace Women caucus has placed him among the top leaders such as the likes of the president and Hon. Raila in supporting women in their quest for democracy.
Waiguru pledged her support as a leader for the Building Bridges Initiative between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga in efforts to unite the country putting their political differences aside after last elections in 2017.
“They agreed to shake hands for the country to stabilize from the chaos that had begun over the disputed elections and we see the fruits of peace in the government Big 4 Agenda,” said Waiguru.
“As women of this country, we have decided to stand for peace since it is women who suffer most when chaos erupt regardless of tribal affiliation,” she noted.
The Kirinyaga governor said constitutional amendments are inevitable so as to align the country with equal representation at the top level leadership with equal representation.
“As democracy takes its strides, this country cannot be ruled by two tribes only. We must expand the leadership positions at the top so as to create space for leaders from every part of this country which will instill a sense of ownership and belonging to all including women,” she said.
“When referendum comes let us not be cheated by the Punguza Mizigo entity which is intending to reduce the number of women leaders,” she said adding that women account for 60 per cent of votes cast during elections but when they seek leadership positions they become a burden. “That is what Punguza Mizigo is all about,” she said.
She said as women, they are in support of the BBI to compile their countrywide findings present them to the president and opposition leader for a way forward.
“As women, we believe the chaos caused by disputed elections will be a thing of the past if all communities were involved in leadership. With creation of the prime minister and two deputies and a president with his deputy will equitably serve five leaders from different communities,” she said.
She crowned the Mombasa meeting as the Tononoka Declaration that will sail this country to greater heights with women in support of the BBI between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga.
By Joseph Kamolo
