Leadership was exclusively entitled to men, the chosen few who possessed the outstanding qualities to be approved as the community spokesmen and representatives of the Kalenjin society.
Women were not allowed or recognized to chair or take a forefront responsibility of heading the society or a section of the community. They were not trusted but regarded as ‘children’ and they could not stand before the 'baraza la wazee' to give a directive to the community.
“The community never trusted leadership with women, they had no authority to command. The Kalenjins chose men to guard the community and let the women sire for the generational continuation,” Linus Kogo said claiming that women then, were considered cowards and could not lead the community warriors in wars against external attacks.
Kogo however said few were appointed to lead exceptionally women groups and initiation rites, unlike today where the constitution has given women and men equal opportunity to occupy various leadership positions.
A Lecturer from a local university in Uasin Gishu, Francesca Mutai highlighted that education has enlightened the community, doing away with retrogressive norms that were gender insensitive.
“Currently women that are educationally empowered have manoeuvred to the corridors of leadership, though it is still perceived that it’s hard for women to be elected,” Mutai who holds a masters in sociology said.
She urged women to strive to embrace education and be determined to face men in scrambling for leadership positions.
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