Caption: Former Lands Minister Charity Kaluki Ngilu at a past function. Photo source: www.the-star.co.ke
Former Lands Minister Charity Kaluki Ngilu has asked women eyeing different elective positions to brace themselves for tough battles ahead of the next general elections.
Speaking on Thursday at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi to over 4000 in an event dubbed “ni mama" alongside Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua, Ngilu told the women that making it in the game of politics dominated by men is no easy day.
They reminded them to get prepared to be called all sorts of names as they seek to transform the lives of the common mwananchi. Ngilu and Karua recalled their worst experiences in the field of politics while at the same time encouraging women not to give up in the quest to rise to various positions in society.
“You have to speak to your family first and make them understand why you are vying. You should prepare them psychologically and prepare yourself to be insulted by your opponents,” said Ms Ngilu, as quoted by Standard.
Ngilu also told the women who have declared interests in different seats including MCA, Women Rep, MP, Senator and Governorship not to chicken out whenever they are called abusive names while campaigning across the nation before the forthcoming general polls.
“Being abused is the first step any woman aspirant must undergo. During my first stab in politics, I was called unprintable names, with some of the people I was competing with even questioning my morality. But you should be encouraged because I survived,” she added.
On her part, Karua asked the women to be aggressive in the search for funds to support them during their campaigns. She reminded the ambitious women to ask friends and well-wishers to assist them raise money for their campaigns.
“An average politician regardless of the gender has no much money. As a woman aspirant, you should not be afraid because you do not have finances. Money is mobilised, it does not have to be in your pocket,” advised Ms Karua.