Nominated Senator Emma Mbura at a past event. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
Nominated Senator Emma Mbura has told members of the Mijikenda community to abandon traditions that paint women as weak.
Mbura who is eying the Rabai parliamentary seat on a Maendeleo Chap Chap ticket said outdated customs were still clawing back women from joining and excelling in politics in Kilifi County.
She described how she had been intimidated by her male opponents while campaigning.
“They have really dug into my marital status, saying all sorts of bad things about my status, family and life in general,” Mbura said.
She said one of her male rivals at a public rally proclaimed how she does not qualify to lead Rabai people because she was not married and had failed to establish a home.
“The same opponent later on went ahead and told the people that I was new in Rabai having been born in Mombasa,” she added.
“He was lying because I was born in Rabai and that is my home. We went to Mombasa in search of opportunities but I have nowhere to call home other than Rabai.”
She said from the time she began campaigning, she has endured loads of negative propaganda from her male challengers but thanked the people for standing by her side.
“I blame this on our Mijikenda tradition that looks at us women as non-performers in society. Thanks though. We are changing this trend."
Mbura said as women seeking for elective seats in Kilifi, the challenges they faced were numerous.
She said as women, they were not appreciated in leadership adding that those who stand firm and elaborate their mission and vision to the people most times get elected.
Three weeks ago, other female candidates in the county- Esther Kache a Jubilee nominee for the Kilifi North MP Seat, Esther Kondo who is Mbura’s opponent contesting on a Labour Party ticket and Patience Chome (Kadu Asili nominee for the Kaloleni MP seat) accused their male challengers of belittling them as women.