The recent claim by Kisumu deputy governor Ruth Odinga that Cord is not giving women opportunities in matters governance has been faulted by a nominated senator.
Janet Ongera who was speaking at Bobasi constituency on Wednesday said the Cord coalition has championed for women empowerment by trusting them with key leadership positions.
She said the party also supports the female gender to go for top posts in 2017 polls contrary to Ms Odinga’s remarks that men were favored by top coalition officials.
“I think Cord has really done well in giving women chances to lead not only at the party level but also in various positions. The party’s policy also champions for women to go for various elective posts and probably we will have more to parliament in 2017,” she said.
She gave an example of Homa Bay Women Representative Gladys Wanga who was recently elected the county’s ODM chairperson and her role in the Senate as Senate Minority Deputy Whip as indication women were trusted within the coalition.
“Compared to Jubilee, I think Cord has given women more opportunities. Recently you saw what happened in Homa Bay. I am also Deputy Minority Whip in Senate not forgetting my colleague Daisy Nyongesa who leads Cord youth league countywide,” she added.
She however challenged women not to depend on affirmative actions and involve themselves fully in seeking leadership in various representatives’ seats.
“We know it’s a challenge for all women not just in Cord. We must rise up and go for seats without necessarily looking for favors. We can do it because in my coalition, we always encourage that,” Ongera said.