Tiyah Galgalo - Aspirant Isiolo North Constituency

On her campaign activities and how she involves men in these activities
Last year, we started a gender and governance programme at our own local level where we got some funding from UNDP. From this we did several workshops around community dialogue around women leadership and women rights. On this we decided to take men on board because without men we cannot win the gender equity especially in the pastoralist areas. From this we really talked and let the men speak out on what they think about women’s leadership and this was really good because we got to understand what they think about women’s leadership and from this they are ready to work with us even in campaigns.

We also do a lot of civic education educating men on benefits of women’s leadership and slowly they are recognizing the women as leaders. This even becomes clearer when we prove to them that even in recent corruption scandals women have not been mentioned in any of them and even the women already in parliament have proven to be very credible and this also acts as an eye opener to the men.

On the attitude of men towards being involved
Especially in the pastoralists community it is really hard to get these men involved because they tend to be so rigid. They wonder if women are ready to take up these positions, if they have what it takes and they tend to question your background a lot unlike when it comes to the men.

On whether men are adequately involved in gender equality
I can say no because even when we hold these workshops it is just us women and it really locks the men out who should actually be on board like the women are. Even programmes like these of gender governance go along to benefit women while I also think there are men too who are vulnerable and would be in need of such programmes.

On how men can be more involved
I would say that apart from inviting them for women’s workshops they should also be in the composition of the gender governing programmes.  We have even honorary men who are ready to champion for women rights and having them in such projects would go a long way in men being involved equally in gender issues.

On prominent men who champion for women rights
Yes, I have been in a few meetings and workshops that Hon. Anyang' Nyong'o has been present and during his addresses he comes out strongly about his support for women rights and in fact calls himself an 'honorary woman.' I may not know how much he has done at his constituency level but at the national level he really comes out strongly on his support for women and I think that is credible. If we have more men declaring that they are honorary women I think this nation would be changed.

On how political parties can be more receptive and accessible to women
I think the greatest obstacle that needs to be addressed is recognition of women in party activities. These parties have a lot of programmes and activities but they leave out women who have worked so hard and are trying to penetrate and be recognized. Sometimes you find just because someone else has resources and gets to meet with others in hotels, they get chosen for party positions over women who have been in the grassroots working so hard. I think women should be recognized long enough and given consideration especially if they have proved to be more active. Like me, I have been a life member of LDP but I have really been trying even to penetrate in their activities but it has been so hard. There is a time they came to Isiolo from Turmati but I was not even consulted instead they involved other people who do not even have the party at heart. Sometimes I even wonder if I will end up being the flag bearer of the party putting in mind I have been here for long unlike others who do not have the party’s interest at heart. Someone like Nazlin has been like the mother of ODM and was all along in the party since the time of the referendum and really battled along with the men but now it seems like she has just been dropped. No one is even talking about her and the party seems to be overtaken by men while the women have been given a back seat.

On Challenges that face women aspirants
The most important thing is for women to be informed on pertinent issues concerning parties. Information is very important and if they lack this they will be left out when it comes to getting positioned in parties.

The other thing is funds. Fundraising is very important because you find that there are high costs incurred especially moving around the constituency and like in my constituency you will need the strong cars to help you reach into the interiors.

Publicity is also important because it will let people recognize your presence. This can be done by being involved in community activities and lobbying. The media like radios, newspapers, newsletters would also come in handy in publicizing these women and their activities so that people will be aware of what they are doing.

On what it would take for a woman to be elected president
It would take a lot of hard work because these men have taken their positions very well and just coming up to take what they have is tough. Again culture has proven to hold the key to women leadership and these calls for the woman’s efforts to be felt in all areas of all constituencies. We see the men in the race coming out strongly and even reaching to very remote areas using their choppers. Like there is a day Raila came to Isiolo and people left their cows at home just to go and have a glimpse of this man they only hear about from the local radios. Knowing how cows are important to the pastoralist, at that time all they wanted to see is Raila and go back home satisfied. If we can see women going to these lengths then they would make an impact nationally. It needs her to convince the tough rooted beliefs of culture especially in the pastoralists’ that she can indeed be a leader of the country.

On other issues  that should be addressed
Yes, I would like to see political parties give a share of participation to the women. Because we really try hard but our efforts are shattered when these parties do not recognize us when they are giving positions.

Another issue that is important is civic education. A lot of people still have not been enlightened on women leadership and they still believe and follow their traditions that dictate on the position of the women which is plainly at home. Like from my community when they see the women coming up to contest they ask “why are you struggling just stay at home and leave this to the men” “si kuna wanaume wachieni wanaume hii kazi” they call us children with big feet.

Publicity of women is also another issue. The way men are covered in the media is very different from the way women are covered. Like there is a function that we had for the women pastoralist and Njoki Ndungu was the Guest of Honour. Very many important things were spoken concerning women issues and leadership; I was shocked to see only a short statement in the news that did not even bring out the importance of the meeting.