Siaya women's long road to elective seats

Distinguished author, politician and diplomat Grace Ogot. [File, Standard]

Three decades since Grace Ogot was elected MP for Gem constituency for two terms, women in Siaya County continue to be sidelined when it comes to elective positions.

Apart from Christine Ombaka, who has held the County Woman Representative position since 2013, no other woman has made it to either the National Assembly or Senate from the area.

While a total of 20 male candidates vied in Alego-Usonga, Bondo, Gem, Ugenya, Ugunja, and Rarieda constituencies in the August 9 General Election, no woman offered their candidature, perhaps because of past experiences. At the same time, no woman showed interest in the senatorial seat.

In the local elections, three out of four MCAs who won in 2017, West Gem's Susan Okwirry retained her seat.

Lorna Achieng (North Sakwa), Abigael Awino (Central Gem) and Judith Oyugi (East Asembo) were among 20 MCAs sent home by voters.

Three other women, however, emerged victorious in the August 9 election. They were Truphosa Osewe (West Sakwa), Eunice Ndolo (South Sakwa) and Scholastica Madowo (South East Alego).

With a total of 30 wards, it means the county must have at least 10 nominated women MCAs, to comply with the two-thirds gender rule.

Some of the women who have previously vied MPs include Rosemary Ogutu and Maslister Oudia, who both vied for the Alego-Usonga seat in 2017.

In Bondo, Jacinta Maganda and Judith Magundho, entered the ring in 2013. They did not make it.

Rachel Omollo, who took part in the Bondo ODM primaries this year, said there are a number of factors still barring women from winning elective seats.

"While our male counterparts seek endorsements and support from their clans, our only hope is our supporters," said Omollo.

Omollo, who also decried the party nominations as shambolic, said campaigns have also become so expensive for many woman.

Millicent Oduor, who vied for the Siaya governor's seat on UDA ticket on August 9, was the only woman in the race. Even then, the contest was narrowed down to two candidates, James Orengo and Nicholas Gumbo, with the former emerging the victor.

Lynnet Olima, also a former Bondo parliamentary aspirant, said it would have been wise for the ODM to give some tickets to women. "This way, we would have achieved gender parity to a certain extent instead of just waiting to nominate women," said Ms Olima.

Prof Jackline Oduol, who served as nominated MP in the 12th Parliament, said failure to elect more women is a burden to the country.

"Most of our counties are experiencing high wage bills because the voters failed to elect women," she said.

Prof Oduol added: "Let us not elect women as women representatives. Women too can provide good leadership in other elective seats."