Likoni MP-elect Mishi Mboko and her Malindi counterpart Aisha Jumwa. [Photo/ radiorahma.co.ke]
A Non-governmental organisation (NGO) at the Coast has lauded female politicians who clinched various seats in the recently concluded general election.
Speaking in Mombasa on Thursday, Coast Women in Development Executive Director Betty Sharon said the women who emerged victorious in the polls would serve as an example and encourage others to vie for elective seats in the 2022 general election.Sharon said though only a small number of female politicians were elected, their win was an indication that the country had crossed a major milestone.She said that most of the gender equality campaigns that have been launched in the Coast were slowly yielding fruits as a good number of women now participate in political forums.“We have vocal and hardworking women like Mishi Mboko and Aisha Jumwa in the region. If they encourage more women to join politics then we are heading in the right direction,” said Sharon.Mboko won the Likoni MP seat while Jumwa beat seven men to clinch the Malindi seat.Sharon also lauded Faith Mwende Evans and Priscillah Mumba who clinched the Kipevu and Shimanzi ward seats, saying they were an encouragement to other women in the county.“I am sure we will get women governors in the Coast region in future elections. What we need is intensive and extensive civic education among women and girls in the region on political and leadership matters,” she added.She appealed to women in the region to fully venture into politics, arguing they will have better chances of serving the community while in power.Sharon, however, appealed to female politicians in the region not to get drunk with power, adding that they should change the community’s perspective towards women leadership.