The ongoing debate about representation of women in parliament may take another dimension after a section of women leaders from Nyamira promised to work on their own and get elected.
Speaking on Sunday at Risa primary school, a section of women leaders led by former councillor Jane Mokaya said women should be ready to take men one on one and avoid depending on affirmative seats as prescribed in the constitution.
Ms Mokaya urged women to desist from avoiding the male-dominated career of politics and instead grab the opportunity and set records.
“Sometimes I think the affirmative seats are there to make women lazy. Some of us have been elected before and I think we can do it if we get a little bit more serious and sensitive. We should not run away from challenges just because the constitution protects us,” she said.
They vowed to keep on sensitising women to get into active politics and hope for direct elections besides calling on experienced women leaders to lead the campaigns.
“Some leaders like Ms Martha Karua have been in politics for decades and they got elected. Why can’t we join them in mobilising our women? I think we are up to the challenge and we don’t have to be treated as second class citizens,” added Mrs Cathrene Nyamato, a feminist based in Nairobi.
On Sunday, Kenyan women got a boost when visiting American President Barack Obama called for respect of women and their roles in the society.