Iftin MCA candidate Mulki Warsame said culture and religion is discouraging many women in North Eastern to vie for political seats in the general elections.
Speaking in Garissa town, Ms Warsame said traditional perceptions of women as inferior to men prevail as many people in the region uphold cultural practices.
Ms Warsame further accused the Council of Elders of discriminating against women for failing to include them in the list of preferred candidates to seek elective positions in elections.
She said that culture and religion have become an obstacle to women politicians as they are locked out of leadership adding that the negotiated democracy is a selfish tradition meant to marginalise women.
She added that the negotiated democracy where clan elders pick candidates should be stopped because women hopefuls are locked out.
“Our male rivals campaign on the bases of culture and religion. They invoke marriage issues. If you’ve married in a clan that’s not yours, they are likely to campaign using that,” she said.
“Elders who organised the so-called negotiated democracy gave seats to men only, negatively undermining women seeking elective posts,” she added
Ms Warsame urged voters to support women seeking elective positions in the August polls saying that women are as capable to men to hold powerful positions and the residents should allow women to run for elective positions without intimidation.
“Voters should elect women as we are fair and less corrupt. I want the fruit of devolution to reach people at the grassroots. I’ll introduce necessary bills so we pass laws that directly benefit residents,” she added.