Rift Valley

Throughout the country, a historic number of women have lined up to challenge their male counterparts in the race for parliamentary seats.  Women from all social strata have thrown their hats into the ring, both for the civic and parliamentary seats. And they have done so in numbers not witnessed since Independence.

In Rift Valley, candidates are seen to be going against the grain in a region where cultural barriers have long worked against women seeking elective and other public office positions.

Aldai MP Jimmy Choge will be fighting a big name and a woman of influence as the election date nears. Former head of Public Service Dr Sally Kosgei is among eight candidates in the race for the seat and whose entry is giving Mr Choge sleepless nights.

Baringo North MP William Boit faces a fierce challenge from at least eight candidates, all keen to reduce him to a one-term legislator. Those in the race include Kisumu-based bank employee Martha Cheptrim.

Though incumbent Nick Salat’s development record in the past four years is his strongest campaign tool, another bruising battle is on the cards in Bomet constituency with Nairobi businesswoman Ms Lina Siele vying for the seat.

Chepalungu constituency sees the entry of the first female aspirant in the constituency lawyer Caroline Cherotich Ruto who will take on incumbent John Koech in an effort to win the seat.

Eldama Ravine, a constituency that has great potential in agriculture, has caught the interest of two women, Ms Nancy Bargwet and Ms Winne Koima, both from NGO circles.

Emgwen a cosmopolitan constituency hived off Tinderet will field Ms Cecilia Leting and Dr. Benadette Jeptoo.

Kajiado Central has taken an interesting turn with arguably the first woman from the community, Ms Peris Tobiko, who works with a statutory board, declaring her interest in the seat held by Maj-Gen (rtd) Joseph Kasaine Nkaiserry. Although she is a local, she faces the twin challenges of being a woman in a deeply conservative region where leadership is a male preserve, and the fact that she is seen to have changed allegiance — having been married in the neighbouring Narok District. She will be hoping that changing cultural norms, brought about by the spread of education in the constituency that stretches to the Tanzanian border, will make those challenges easy to overcome.

Kuresoi MP Moses Cheboi will be watching over his shoulder for Mrs Liza Chelule a director at the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya, a member of the Kenya Women’s Political Caucus and a child and women’s rights activist.

Women’s rights activist Wambui Otieno-Mbugua, who recently launched her own political party, will take on Education minister George Saitoti for the Kajiado North seat.

In Laikipia West constituency, incumbent Mr G G Kariuki will face a challenge from Ms Eunice Muthoni, the only woman in the race. She is also the local DP branch treasurer. 

Even as she faces a challenge from at least six men, if there is living proof that perseverance pays, it is in the shape of Marakwet East MP Linah Jebii Kilimo. She takes the credit for restoring relative security along the borders of Maraket, West Pokot and Baringo East districts, earning herself the nickname “Mama Amani”. 

In Mogotio constituency incumbent Joseph Korir has his hands full fending off a host of declared challengers some of whom include Mrs Hellen Sambili of Egerton University.

Politics in Molo constituency  has been taking a volatile tone and incumbent, Mr Macharia Mukiri faces stiff challenge from a businesswoman at Elburgon Mrs Florence Wambui Njoroge.

There is no shortage of hopefuls interested in Mr John Sambu’s seat in Mosop constituency where Mrs Florence Too has expressed interest in the seat.

After succeeding her husband as MP for Naivasha assistant minister for Environment Jayne Kihara has a slight edge in a large field though she will have a stiff fight as the ticket for the dominant party in the area is attracting interest from nearly a dozen aspirants. She is credited with various development projects using constituency development fund (CDF).

In Rongai Mrs Alicen Chelaite, a self made politician, who was the mayor of Nakuru then MP for Rongai, and went on to become an assistant minister, will vie for the seat.

In Sotik an agriculturally rich constituency and which has been one of the leading milk producers nationally, Ms.  Lorna Laboso will square it out with immediate MP Anthony Kimeto.

Turkana South MP Mr Francis Ewaton Achuka faces a stiff challenge from Ms Beatrice Asikul who is eyeing the seat.