The number of women seeking elective positions in Kisumu county is expected to rise during the next general election, thanks to the ongoing ‘County Bora Jukumu Letu project’.
The partnership initiative which is spearheaded by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and U.N Women will also enhance women participation in electoral processes ahead of the elections, greatly impacting on the achievement of the 2/3 gender principle in Kisumu county.
The development follows a two-day workshop that brought together over 77 women from the county among them key political and religious figures.
Addressing the meeting dubbed ‘Kisumu County Women Leadership Conference’, the county’s Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga, lauded the initiative and urged women to come up with development projects that could empower them. “I wish to thank the organizers of this conference and acknowledge that leadership is diverse. I celebrate the achievement of women in Kisumu county and call on you to come out and seek elective positions without fear”, she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by veteran female politician from the region Pheobe Asiyo, who shared her personal experience in politics. She enumerated various challenges facing women seeking elective positions in the country and shared possible solutions. “Are you SMART enough, do you know the issues both political and social? You cannot stand on a platform if you do not know what is going on”, she pointed out.
Asiyo advised: “Dress well, when you get to the platform. Don’t be aggressive, just be assertive. Get up in confidence, take the podium and talk like there were no insults. Don’t try to be a man, because if you did, you will lose it all”.
The conference was also attended by Jennifer Kere (County Executice Committee member in charge of gender, education and sports), Rose Nyamunga Women Representative, Priscah Auma Misachi, (M.C.A Manyatta ”B”) and Atieno Otieno (Kisumu County Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization)
The women were enlightened through various presentations including a political economy analysis, during the conference that began with a devotion coordinated by the regional team led by NCCK Coordinator Zack Gaya.
NCCK (Nyanza region) in partnership with UN Women have been implementing ‘Kaunti Bora Jukumu Letu’ project in Kisumu County for over 2 years now.
The project covers Kisumu Central and Nyando constituencies within Kisumu county. The project is geared towards the attainment of the 2/3 gender rule through an increased proportion of women in elective positions in the county. Project activities include: Mapping out of existing women entities and top 5 political parties in the 7 Counties, Training of women entities by conducting meetings at constituency level. organizing annual county women leadership conferences, hold local to local dialogues and establishing men for women leadership, undertaking a political economy analysis, holding dialogue between women leaders and political party leaders and conducting training for women elected leaders and aspirants on media engagement
