A political storm brewing: Ladies take out your umbrellas

Seeing as the 50 seat women Bill has been shelved (no surprise here) one wonders what last weapon women have got left to charge into parliament. With a hash political climate, we can only pray that politics will be a lady this year and deliver a good number of women to politics next year.

Presidential aspirant Nazlin Umar, once a fire brand for ODM seems to be slowly fading from sight and ear shot. And to what do we owe this? The culprit I dare say is the whole coalition and coalition split business. Or am I being unrealistic?

Dr. Julia, no longer a presidential aspirant in ODM-K but a self proclaimed Kalonzo running mate… And what a kick in the teeth when ODM K announces they haven’t chosen a running mate yet.

With Hon. Ngilu, we may just have to wait and see how the next few months play. Being an old hand at politics mama has the uncanny ability to make political alignments at the very last minute.

A political climate so keen on alliances and coalitions will have an effect on our female aspirants when it comes to nomination. The coming together of political bigwigs may see formidable women loose out of nomination on the major political parties which will ultimately affect their election.

Marakwet she –warrior, Hon. Jebii Kilimo's defection from the Orange camps will definitely have an effect on what transpires in the not so distant future.

Yes! Politics is all about strategy, and everyone knows that only fools rush in. For our aspirants, we wait to see how it all unfolds but until then how do we brave the political storms?

Karibu USAWA.

Imagine eating and swallowing a strand of hair in your food. Now imagine a fist full of hair then add faeces to it. That was what Ms. Florah Terah went through on Friday night when she was attacked near her home where she is aspiring to be the Member of Parliament.

Civil society comprising human rights organizations, aspiring women candidates and concerned Kenyans condemned the beastly attack.

Female Aspirants came out in support of Florah and asked the Government to come out clearly and condemn the merciless act and apprehend the perpetrators of this beastly crime.

[Election Violence, what the law says] [Read Press Statement]

VOTE NOW

How are women placed in the emerging coalitions and alliances?

<> I think they're gaining

<> I think they're losing

Coalitions where they may be good for the entire political scene, they shortchange women and you will find that women often lose out on both parliamentary and civic nominations.

Today as coalitions towards 2007 elections begin to take shape, ACWICT staff, Florence Koros and Boniface Manyala spoke to Onyango Oloo, a social and political analyst on the role of coalitions in Kenyan politics and what is in it for women.
Click here for more >>

A closer look at the male counterparts will tell you that it pays to have your cronies rallying behind you during your meet-the-people tours. How are women supporting one another in that regard? How are the more experienced women mentoring the young upcoming leaders? Click here for more >>

While most regimes have been careful not to step on the toes of ethnic “sensibilities” they have totally disregarded women’s needs and aspirations. That explains why women hold a measly 8% of parliamentary seats despite comprising over half the population. Click here for more >>

Wanjikus redemption

The stakeholders:

Wanjiku (played by women in their search for social justice):
These are the afflicted people to whom the fight belongs. Their adversities are as numerous as they are varied. The saving grace however is that there is a remedy for them all. This so to speak will break the yoke. It is the great E-word, Empowerment! Click here for more >>

Wanjikus brothers (played by men) :
They are our brothers, fathers, sons, husbands, our friends. They play a revolutionary role in this cast. This group more than any other needs to understand that this really isn ’t a war on equality but more about equity. Click here for more >>

Civil society (guardian angels):
In this script, civil society plays the roles of teacher and guardian. It is this group that should go out there and champion the course, let the people know. Their dedication and ideals have the capacity to be a wind of change. Click here for more >>

Government (reluctant catalyst):
Plays the role of the unwilling almighty.this organisation has the ability to easily alter things. If you doubt me, think back a few years to the days of matatu mayhem, who would ever have thought that sanity would ever prevail? If this were a chemical reaction, government would be a catalyst in the process, and we could call it “govermentium”.Why the reluctance? Click here for more >>

Recently launched websites

"Every time I approach the doors of the Chamber, I think of the many men and women who have walked along the same walk way before me and who left their  footprints there. I reflect on the fact that they too walked along the same walk way to do what I am also entering to do: listen, learn, contribute and make laws that will govern our society. I reflect on the responsibility on my own shoulders to make constructive laws, which will continue to build on those we have inherited from those previous legislators. Like them I aspire to build a strong democratic and just society."

Alice Were believes that “Bunyala South is a great constituency with great people. The future of Bunyala South & Kenya at large lies in the hands of leaders who have genuine vision, integrity, honesty and ability to deliver quality leadership to the people,” Alice Were, www.alicewere2007.com

Profile: Jebiwot Bischof, Marakwet West

My old dream, my real Pursued’ for the people of Marakwet
A dream of a new day

Yes, a new day will surely come
In the land where I was born and raised
The day would be of great joy
The day of great freedom from needless poverty
And my land will be in perfect peace.
Click here for more >>

Affirmative action:
Are we back there? I thought we said NO!

There seems to be sigh of relief in the political climate. Phew! They almost got us to sign on the dotted line. Affirmative action has been the cat and mouse game politicians play with female voters and potential leaders since time immemorial as women unleash the distress card and wait for yet another bashing.  

Enough said! Let’s load on the strategy… Financial backing, moral support and your votes...

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YOUR VIEWS ON USAWA

I believe time has come where every kenyan regardless of traditional background need to appreciate what women have done so far in our economy.Most women are bread providers in their families.Single raised children(by women) are doing well comppared to those raised by men.

I do support women involvement in every part of development.

JOHNSON NG'ANG'A, YOUTH IN SUPPORT FOR WOMEN LEADERSHIP, JKUAT-STUDENT

The overall goal of the GGP is to transform leadership and governance at all levels in Kenya in order to deliver on poverty reduction, access to basic needs and equality between and among persons

GGP is Managed by
United Nations Development Fund for Women - UNIFEM

and funded by