President Uhuru Kenyatta and his main political rival, Raila Odinga [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
Women in Kajiado have given a firm pledge to support the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee Government during the August 8 polls.
They made the promise when they met with the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta who gave a reassurance that the empowerment of women and youth remains the central priority in the Jubilee Government’s development agenda.
“I can also confirm to you that women’s development and the empowerment of youth is a key priority to President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee Government “,she said.
The women said the Jubilee Government had demonstrated its commitment to take women to the next level of development and empowerment and will not be hoodwinked by propaganda and meaningless publicity.
“What other government are we looking for? Kajiado women have decided it is Jubilee. We are not going anywhere (not supporting other coalitions). We shall support the re-election of the current government ”, said Mrs Hellen Nkaissery-summing up the sentiments of other women leaders.
They spoke at KCB grounds , Kajiado town ,where thousands of women under the leadership of Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO) met with the First Lady to share their concerns.
The First Lady said Jubilee strongly believes that the empowerment of women and youth is the only way to make meaningful progress in developing Kenyan communities.
This was the second such meeting that follows a similar event in Mutitu a week ago, where the First Lady met with over 5,000 women drawn from Lower Eastern’s counties of Machakos, Makueni and Kitui.
They First Lady reassured Kajiado women that President Kenyatta remains committed to working with them to deliver his development promise to the county.
She also re-assured the Kenyan women and the youth of the Government’s continued commitment to ensure their participation in decision making and in leadership.
“This Government has continued to ensure women’s participation in decision making and remains committed to ensuring 30% women’s involvement in leadership positions”, she said.
The First Lady said in addition to the women and children’s health for which she is popularly known for under the Beyond Zero initiative, her other primary concern is to ensure that women have access to opportunities that empower them financially.
“It is also important that our girls are not locked out of opportunities to pursue their education so that they too can achieve their full potential in future”, she added.
After listening to the issues raised by Kajiado women, the First Lady promised to deliver their concerns to President Kenyatta who was himself addressing various meet-the-people meetings in the county.
“I have heard your concerns this morning which I promise to deliver to President Kenyatta”, said the First Lady .
The concerns included government assistance to establish an animal-feed factory, women from the county to be facilitated to benefit from the government tendering and procurement process and further assistance to enable their value-added artifacts enter the world market especially Dubai.
The First Lady re-affirmed her commitment to continue dedicating her energies towards improving maternal and child health, adding that the survival of mothers and children remains her urgent concern become the work in this area is not complete.
“I will work tirelessly side by side with the President and the Jubilee Government to deliver the promise to uplift the livelihood of women and advocate for education for our girls”, she said.
The First Lady is the patron of the four-year old Beyond Zero initiative which has had one of the greatest impact in the health sector especially on the health of women, children and adolescents.
Mrs Hellen Nkaissery led the women in pledging their support for the election of the Jubileee Government saying women had realized great gains under the leadership of President Kenyatta.
She said the lives of women in the county had changed in a significant way especially in health.
They also want to support the President’s re -election to allow the First Lady to continue with her work.
She said Kajiado women will not accept any leader inciting people to violence adding that the women are committed to safeguard the existing peace and ensure the co-existence of all residents of Kajiado.
Other Speakers included MYWO national chairperson Mrs Rahab Mwikali Muiu, Secretary Ms Elizabeth Maiyeka, MYWO pioneer Emily Kiparki and MYWO Kajiado County chairperson Jane Saruni.
MYWO organization is a national movement that boasts a membership of 4 million women and a grassroots network from across the country.