Grace Onyango, the first elected woman MP in independent Kenya, took the first step. But the long walk to political emancipation for women remains curtailed by cultural, economic and social hurdles.
While many gender activists hailed the 10th Parliament for electing 15 women to the august House, a record since independence (which is seven per cent of the 207 seats that were up for grabs), the number was still a grain of sand on a beach.
In the current House, the number rose to 16, who were joined by 47 Women Representatives, who have since changed their designation to County MPs. These positions for women were created by the new Constitution that was promulgated in 2010. No single woman was elected as a senator or governor, with only eight ending up as deputy governors, positions referred to derisively as ‘flower girl.’
Strangely, although cultural prejudices are blamed for failure of women to clinch political seats, it’s peculiar that some communities which traditionally equate women with children elect more females. A case in point is how the Kalenjin, who classify women together with children, elected the highest number of female legislators.
Out of 15 elected female legislators in the 10th Parliament (2007 elections), seven were from Rift Valley Province, with some trouncing seasoned male politicians.
This has demystified the notion that women in Rift Valley are looked down upon. Election of women through competitive polls preceding tough campaigns is an indication that the region also respects and values women in leadership.
The Rift Valley was leading with seven elected female MPs, Nairobi and Eastern had three each, Central had two, Coast had one, while Nyanza and Western had none.
Even with the introduction of the special political positions of women representatives, women in Rift Valley still went for the jugular.
In the competitive parliamentary elections in 2013, Rift Valley still managed three positions through Dr Joyce Laboso (Sotik) who is also the Deputy Speaker; Professor Hellen Sambili (Mogotio), both of whom successfully defended their seats; and Grace Kipchoim (Baringo South).
The three are among 12 current female MPs elected across the 290 constituencies in the country. They braved the competitive slot despite the provision of the county women representative position.
Voters in the Rift Valley picked strong and professional women who also served in senior government positions in the grand coalition government. They included Dr Sally Kosgei who served in Higher Education and later Agriculture dockets, Professor Maragaret Kamar (Higher Education), Professor Hellen Sambili who served in the East Africa Community, Assistant Minister Linah Kilimo (Cooperatives), Beatrice Kones (Home Affairs) and Peris Simam (Eldoret South).
Most of them however lost in their bid to defend their seats following a strong wave of URP (United Republican Party) that swept across the region in the last general elections and ushered in a new crop of politicians.
Major John Seii, the Kalenjin Council of elders chairman (emeritus), says, “When elected, Kalenjin women are respectful and also courageous when it comes to decision making on issues affecting the electorates. They are not arrogant.”
Seii also noted that among the pastoralist communities, children and women are “put in the same grouping for protection purposes, but they complement men when it comes to decision making.”
Said Seii: “Such grouping is for protection and it does not in any way mean that women are lesser beings or inferior. Among the pastoralists, women have defined roles and they complement men in everything. Men cannot make a final decision without involving a woman.”
He added that men consult women when they want to make any decision that affects the family unit or society. On Chelegat Mutai who was elected at the tender age of 24 in 1974, Seii noted that she deserved it because she was educated, eloquent and was also required at that time to fill the position.
Mark Too, a former nominated MP said there is nothing wrong with having female legislators who perform well in leadership positions.
“It is not a question of gender, but leadership. If one’s leadership qualities are good, then they should be given a chance to perform. Because of education and exposure, the electorates have changed and can elect across the board irrespective of gender,” said Too.
Too added that voters are interested in leaders who are close to them, not those who go missing after elections.
Shadrack Moimet, a cultural practitioner in Rift Valley said: “From experience, women are custodians of wealth and can be trusted in management and protection. They have a sense of responsibility and are also brave.”
He added that voters in Rift Valley have always elected educated female legislators who are good performers in public representation.
“They are disciplined and free from corrupt practices because they have the interest of the electorate at heart,” Moimet told The Nairobian.
Political activist Orie Rogo-Manduli says Western Kenya counties have a lot to learn from the Kalenjin.
“Men in Western Kenya view women as flowers to be touched and admired, but not good enough to be leaders. They call them sweetie, but ensure they never get elected. Only Jaramogi Oginga Odinga promoted women leadership by giving Kenya Grace Onyango,” says Orie.
Additional reporting by Mwaura Samora
