Women’s poor showing in politics blamed on nomination hurdles

Homa Bay Woman Rep Gladys Wanga

Dismal performance of women in politics is a cause for concern in Nyanza. The region that once produced tough women politicians such as Kenya’s first woman MP Grace Onyango (Kisumu), former Karachuonyo MP Phoebe Asiyo and former assistant minister and Gem MP Grace Ogot can now hardly get a woman to Parliament.

Nyanza has six counties; Kisumu, Siaya, Kisii, Nyamira, Homa Bay and Migori. Of all Nyanza’s 42 constituencies, only Mbita is represented by a woman, Millie Odhiambo Mabona. Siaya, Kisii, Nyamira, Homa Bay and Migori have only one elected woman MCA each. Kisumu, perhaps because it is urban, has seven women MCAs.