Women in North Eastern have accused the Council of Elders of discrimination, for failing to include them in the list of preferred candidates who will vie for political seats in this year’s general elections.
Kenya Women Holding project manager Margaret Mbugua said the negotiated democracy, where clan elders pick candidates, should be stopped because women hopefuls are locked out.
Mbugua who was addressing the press in Garissa town during a two-day workshop for women aspirants said women, especially the unmarried are insulted for considering politics.
She said it is unfortunate that women are being sidelined when elders pick candidates when in other parts of the country women are coming out to seek posts, including those of governors, MPs, Senate and MCAs.
“The elders don’t recognize the role of women in leadership. Elders, through the so-called negotiated democracy, have only reserved political seats for men. This has negatively impacted women seeking posts,” said the manger.
Mbugua added 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.
The women said the tradition is perpetuated by the Council of Elders to serve their own interests and some senior politicians keen on protecting their interests.