ISIOLO COUNTY SENATOR FATUMA DULLO..Q & A1.What made you go for an elective position given the competition they attract?I was a nominated Senator in the previous assembly and this us where I found it appropriate to go for the senate seat through the ballot. I believed in my capability to serve the people in their elected Senator.
2. You hail from among the Borana of Isiolo County. How do they view women, wasn't it a challenge?I thank the people of my county who are a representation Kenya's over 42 tribes. Isiolo hosts several communities but the political landscape relies largely on clans. My first challenge came from my own clan. One faces this challenge and as a woman I had to get the nod from my home clan and get approval from the one I'm married to. You have to convince them.You will be told you don't belong to the clan where you were born and raised and they will send you to the one you got married to.
3. What was the experience, weren't you underrated during the campaigns?As a woman, you are subjected to double public scrutiny compared to what men go through when seeking leadership. Those opposed to your ambition target you and feel you should go for positions meant for women. They make everything you do or say look bad.Strange people mostly men can track you,abuse you and scare you from meeting to the other.You even fear for your life.
4. Couldn't you give up with all these happening?It is a decision I made and whether I lost or not, I had to hold onto my calling to lead.I encouraged myself and God helped me. I got support from my family members and friends.I decided to get into the waters and decided to be a role model to the women and young girls that will come after me. I couldn't pull out regardless of the circumstances. It is shameful to quit, I will surge on to the end. However, the courage comes from within.
5. You worked as District Officer when you were 22-years-old. What is the secret to all these history you are writing?It's dedication.One has to work hard, make themselves heard.I was the first woman to serve as a District Officer in that side of the country. As a young girl, I was deployed to a hardship area but I still didn't fail to deliver on my responsibility. I later went to study law and governance and worked at the ministry of health heading legal matters. No one stopped me. It's good to honor other people and their places in society.This coupled with self respect is key as it earns one acceptance.
6. How did you rise above religious and cultural teachings concerning women and leadership?I studied religion and I have a good understanding of both the Bible and the Qur'an. The religious books have nothing written against women seeking to lead. It could be in our African culture, but it is not written anywhere.We can also lead.During my campaigns, I told the people that neither Islam nor Christianity can bar any woman from contesting.
7. How does it feel defeating even up to six men in a political contest?I can only tell women who desire to lead that for them to succeed,it is important to note that it does not come easy. You have to work hard and be responsible. If you've the determination,you will be respected and if you work hard,you will be given the opportunity.
8. What's you message to the people on the Isiolo food and water shortage?It is barely two weeks since when I went round with the Devolution Cabinet Secretary to find a way of ensuring the people get access to enough food and water for drinking and livestock. I know there is food and we have also urged the government to drill more boreholes . Climate has always been an issue and it's not only a challenge to Isiolo but also to the entire Northern Kenya region.
9. How is the inter-community clashes situation like in Isiolo?The political temperatures are low and we only have the presidential elections pending. Leaders were elected and we do have an obligation to unite the people as they all have a right to reside in Isiolo. It is my commitment that we handle the matters we have in the right manner given that we no longer have clashes as it were in the past.