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Ms Jael Mbogo on Women positioning in Political parties and coalitions
In her opening remarks at the national conference for 2007 women parliamentary aspirants, MS Jael Mbogo cited that Political parties play a major role in the process of getting all candidates to parliament and yet women are the most disadvantaged in these parties. “Political parties are the greatest obstacles that women face. In the past there was only one party but today we are in a multiparty era”. She said, adding that "when choosing a party, it is important to look and identify with a relevant party-this meaning that a party has representation in parliament."
With this in mind the female candidates were informed of the fact that in Kenya today there are over 100 registered political parties but just about 10 of these are relevant which makes it a bit difficult for all of them to be accommodated. This was cited as what gives way for other options for candidates to choose from.
Ms Jael mbogo gave the following pointers to positioning one self in a political party
1. Ensure you hold a key position to the political party of your choice. This position should give you an opportunity and ability to make decisions and to be at the policy making level of your party. Make sure you do not give room for maneuver ‘you have to be indispensable’ in your party. This is of an advantage to you, as your party will field you as one of their candidates, giving you outright nomination. If you cannot win anything be a delegate in your political party which gives you a chance to rise through and get to the national seat by time.
2. Since the advent of multiparty politics in Kenya it has been evident that no single party will ever form a government in Kenya. This has given rise to political party leaders to move from one party to another juggling for power. It is the question of power and women must be in the middle of it fighting for power.
On this she expanded to say that in her international observations of coalitions, they have worked in many countries like Germany and Norway. This she cited was because coalitions in these countries are not negotiated before elections but after elections. All parties come together after elections and each party identifies the number of representatives it has to parliament. From this a coalition is formed. This works for them because there is openness, transparency, it is honoured and there is threat attached to it. This was one way of forming coalitions that would also work for Kenya.
“Another way of forming coalitions is negotiating before elections and running in the elections as a coalition.” Ms Mbogo continued in expanding on formation of coalitions. In Kenya this was done in 2002 but the coalition does not work rather there are rumbles in the coalition and most people move their own ways after promises that bound the coalition before elections fail to work.
She noted to the aspirants that Kenyan women are in a very poor state when it came to coalitions. Women are not participants and are brushed off when trying to get positions in these coalitions as is evident in the present coalitions in Kenya.
3. “Another factor to watch out for is the ‘Political Tsunami/Cyclone’ of coalitions.” This was the third pointer for aspirants. Women aspirants need to be as witty as a snake to be able to watch the tide and tell where the tide is going. At the end of the day, these tides carry ones future and aspirations of being elected into parliament.
Ms Jael Mbogo’s word of advice was concluded by a word of encouragement to the aspirants stating that Kenyan women have come so far in their fight for representation in leadership but are not yet there. Adding that Kenya is not far off but other countries like Liberia have gone ahead and are leading by example of women leadership. Kenyan women go forth without fear, the road is rough but the liberation of Kenyan women must continue.
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