Men will meet their waterloo at this year’s general elections

Even as Controversy and violence surrounded the process of parliamentary and civic nomination process in major parts of the country, voters in Nairobi’s Eastlands area displayed optimism that women aspirants will claim major stake in the parliamentary and civic positions on the 27th December 2007. This part of Nairobi is home to the seedbed of Nairobi politics with Starehe constituency, Kamukunji, Makadara and Embakasi in focus.

A good number of women aspirants have already been cleared in the first huddle and are bracing for the titanic battle ahead which their supporters are confident will be “a smooth ride,” according to Moses Mwangi a number 9 matatu driver in Eastleigh. Moses says victory in Starehe constituency “will without doubt go to Bishop Wanjiru.”

In Kamukunji, Bahati ward, Ms. Jane Kinywa, asked on the prospects of a woman making it to parliament in Kamukinji put it curt clearly, “there will be major surprises in Kamukunji as well as other constituencies in Nairobi as we will be celebrating the victory of women on December 28th.”  Ms. Kinywa said men are fond of employing violent and abrasive tactics whenever they sense danger “but this time round they are in for a shock of their life. A rude shock.” She said.

Kamukunji has Ms. Nazlin Umar on a Workers Congress Party, Roseline Macharia on a Kenda ticket, Ms. Catherine Muthoni Kihara and Ms. Ann Njogu on a Narc ticket. Ms. Kinywa said change is in the air. “We need a person who will address the question of security in this area, light up the streets, provide bursary to school going children, reduce the cost of house rent and create jobs for the large number of our unemployed youth. That person can only be a woman.”

In Makadara constituency, Ms. Sally Andai, was confident that women will triumph at the ballot box, she said, “we know they will attempt to rig us out at the nominations, but we will not take it laying low. We will find alternative parties and wrestle to the bitter end, where our stars will shine brightest. In a nomination exercise, some women are bound to loose albeit with a small margin, but fighting to the end will salvage our course.”

In Mathare ward, Ms. Beatrice Musyoka called upon women to turn out in big numbers to participate at the general election. She said the turnout at the nomination depicted a sad story for women voters. “The women’s turn out is worrying. If this trend of voter apathy is not addressed especially in regard to the women constituency, it may not be easy to unseat men whom we aspire to beat at this year’s general election.” She added.

Even as confusion reigned in many parts of the country during the nominations, in principle the number of women who clinched party tickets to enable them take part in the general elections has tremendously increased compared to the 2002 elections, and women aspirants are sending this message to male counterparts: “Meet me at the ballot box!”

Major political parties have displayed favouritism to some male candidates by giving them direct nominations. In Starehe for example ODM candidate, Margret Wanjiru was reported saying Maina Kamanda would have lost at the PNU nominations had it not been for a direct nomination, she however told the cabinet minister to prepare to a battle of his life.

With male candidates being vanquished at this rate, it remains credibly clear that men will meet their waterloo at this year’s general elections.