Nomination: Areas of concern for women

Parties have lofty visions concerning women

With the exception of a few parties, most political parties have lofty ideals and visions concerning women's agenda.

"They have laudable provisions but the practice is contrary. Under-representation of women in national offices is evident. Women who have risen in party politics have done so through sheer individual determination and not because the party policies were conducive," says the report.

There is limited participation of women in political parties and lack of political goodwill by their male counterparts to include them in structures of political governance.

Women are generally not socialised as leaders
For women to make a go at leadership positions their presence needs to be felt and known. The findings were that Kenyan women have poor visibility in the governance and development processes. Women have limited capacity and empowerment. They have financial constraints and are generally not socialised as leaders. They have little understanding of political processes and their rights. Neither do they have the appropriate mobilisation and campaign skills.

Women need to form strategic alliances and advantage of the imaging and branding strategy to create a bigger picture for themselves.

Johnny-come-latelies’: Deep pockets with shallow promises
Unfortunately the 9th Parliament made parliament a highly lucrative career opportunity with a stunning Ksh. 877,500 in salary, emoluments, travel and sitting allowances and other perks. Being a MP is no longer just a matter of service to the people, it is well paying job where your employers can only oust you after 5 years of slumber.

The top dogs in both the public and private and public sector have left plum jobs only months before the elections and joined the political arena for some just to get a slice of the humongous cake. They have the resources that have been largely elusive to majority of the female aspirants. These bigwigs present an even greater challenge to our hardworking and development driven aspirants. Offering handouts will be nothing major to them.

As one aspirant so aptly put it; Our competitors within the party are ‘Johnny-come-latelies’ planning to unfairly take advantage of our sweat of years of tedious campaigns and struggle. The competition has become rather stiff. All we can hope is that this competition will bring forth good candidates as opposed to deep pockets with shallow values and empty promises. There’s is a case of reaping where they have not sawn.

We have to remain vigilant and ensure that those we do not lose sight of the visions that will change our lives; the visions of our aspirants.