Women leaders in race to claim stake in Nyanza politics

Anne Omodho Anyanga, wife of Nyatike MP Edick Anyanga wants to unseat current governor Okoth Obado, and other men interested in the seat.

Women politicians in Nyanza are sending shivers down the spines of their male counterparts as they seek elective posts next year.

Since the days of Grace Onyango, who was the first woman to be elected MP in Kenya, former assistant minister Grace Ogot and former Karachuonyo MP Phoebe Asiyo, the region's political landscape has been largely dominated by men.

But things are bound to change if the aggression with which women are campaigning ahead of the 2017 General Election is anything to go by.

For decades, women have been pushed to the periphery mainly due to lack of resources and sometimes because of culture. However, most of the women eyeing seats in the next elections are bold, have money and are popular on the ground, which has their male counterparts going back to the drawing board.

Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga, for instance, shocked many when she beat men to be elected the county's Orange Democratic Movement chairperson. Ms Wanga's influence in the region and at national level has been growing as evidenced by the number of aspirants seeking her endorsement for various seats.

The former university student leader has also been active in national politics. She has fiercely defended ODM in the National Assembly, which has sometimes landed her in confrontations with her Jubilee counterparts.

At the same time, Kisumu Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga has been out to prove women are not timid and fearful by declaring "total war" against her boss, Governor Jack Ranguma in next year's elections. Ms Odinga, the younger sister of ODM leader Raila Odinga, is already laying her strategies in the hope of becoming the next governor of the lakeside city.

"The time has come for women from this region to take over leadership. We have the resources, the acumen and the people are behind us," Ruth told The Standard in an interview.

"We will soon launch a campaign to help more women get executive offices in Kisumu. And this has nothing to do with my brother Raila. I will go to the people myself and seek votes. If you believe you can beat me, then face me at the ballot," Ruth said.

Ann Anyanga, the wife of Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga, is in the race to supplant Migori Governor Okoth Obado. Ms Anyanga, who burst into the limelight in 2013, is currently the talk of town because of the major campaigns she is mounting. She used helicopters to reach remote areas in 2013 but failed at the ODM primaries. She claimed her victory was stolen but she is ready to take it this time.

Grace Akumu, widow of the late trade unionist Dennis Akumu, is also out to shake Nyanza's political landscape. Ms Akumu, the leader of the Peoples Convention Party, says they will field candidates for all positions except the presidency.

MALE DOMINATION

"Since Grace Ogot, Phoebe Asiyo and Grace Onyango exited the stage, women have found the going hard because of male domination," said Wilson Agenya, a political science lecturer at Maseno University.

Currently, Luo Nyanza has only one elected woman MP, Mbita's Millie Odhimabo, meaning women have a lot to do if they want to claim a stake in the region's politics.

Last weekend, Raila's wife Ida was in the region urging women to seek elective positions.

"Women should not fear men. Let us come out and face them," she said. Ida has been a champion of affirmative action.

Ms Anyanga has promised to create jobs, especially for women and youths "who have been overlooked yet they are the most productive people".

"Culturally, when children are successful, they belong to their fathers, and to their mothers when they fail. These are some of the stereotypes I want to correct," she added.

"We need more women in policy and decision making positions; that is why we are seeking increased representation in political leadership."

Yesterday, ODM deputy organising secretary Rosa Buyu said women should take advantage of the provision on affirmative action to compete with men. Ms Buyu is eyeing Kisumu Woman Representative seat currently held by Rose Nyamunga.