Why Gladys Wanga wants Homa Bay women to sleep in bikers

Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga wants women in her county to sleep in their bikers on the eve of election day.
“Sleeping in a biker” for a woman loosely means she will not be having sex that night.

Wanga, who is vying for Homa Bay governor, made the remarks during the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s tour of the county. When she went to the podium at Kendu Bay showground in Karachuonyo Constituency, Wanga pleaded with women to sleep in their bikers on the night of August 8. This is in a bid to enable them wake up early in the morning and participate in the election.  Wanga, who is vying on an ODM ticket, said it would be prudent for everybody to sleep with only one agenda in mind. 
“Keep in mind that the only activity we have that early morning is voting,” she said.
She appealed to the men not to be angered by her comments.
“Don’t feel like I am overstepping. I plead with you for that night only so that everybody can wake up early to go and vote.”
Wanga said women should only remove the bikers after voting to ensure both men and women participate in the polls.
“Anybody who has voted can enjoy themselves after August 9.”
The move is aimed at encouraging 100 per cent voter turnout in Homa Bay County. She said, “If women sleep in their bikers, even men will not have sex that night and that will improve their zeal to vote.”
According to Wanga, everybody in the county should vote in August to improve Raila’s chances of winning. She believes the voter turnout will also enable them to achieve their drive for the six-piece mode of voting in favour of ODM candidates.
“We also want our people to come out in large numbers and vote for our party candidates to ensure it becomes strong after the General Election,” Wanga said.
Her comments elicited mixed reactions among Homa Bay residents.
According to Homa Bay County Boda Boda Association Chairman Ken Dede, it is important for both men and women to avoid sex on the eve of the election.
Dede compared the situation to a Luo tradition where when people were going to war with their enemies during the colonial period, men would sleep outside the home. Only women would sleep in their beds. Dede said forgoing sex that night will enhance the chances of the candidates’ victory.
“If it is war, the person who had sex the previous night can easily be beaten.” 
“We will vote successfully and I believe our preferred candidates will win if we don’t engage in sex the previous night,” Dede said.
However, Hellen Ayugi, a resident of Ndhiwa Constituency, said women should just have sex.