During the recently concluded party primaries, there were all kinds of accusations and counter accusations concerning the way it was conducted.
For starters, it was a lesson learned as they came face to face with political dirty tricks politicians employ to outsmart their opponents. Some learned the hard way that politics is not a church service.
Women aspirants felt the wrath of competing against more seasoned male counterparts who had some level of control over party machinery. Even those who sailed through admit that it was more difficult than they thought.
If what transpired during the primaries is anything to go by, then the two third gender rule is far from being achieved. We will have to be contented by the nomination slots currently dished out to women to bridge the gap.
But what is mind-boggling is the fact that women are the majority voters yet they can’t support one of their own. This is a big blow as it demonstrates that they have no faith in themselves to lead, and prefer to led.
Some of the challenges that limit women involvement in politics include violence during campaigns and cultural barriers.
For instance, one of the candidates seeking a political position in Baringo North has had to deal with a lot of criticism due to her marital status.
Some residents argue that once a woman is married off, she is not entitled to participate on matters affecting her home.
The other candidates who are competing with her have capitalised on that aspect of her life to downgrade her. It remains to be seen whether she will jump that hurdle during the August 2017 general election.
Baringo South and Mogotio constituencies have however defied the norm and previously elected female legislators in the name of Grace Kipchoim and Professor Hellen Sambili.
Sambili who recently decamped from independence party KANU to Jubilee lost in the JP primaries to Dr.Daniel Tuitoek and has since came back to the race as an independent candidate.
Grace Kipchoim sailed through the JP primaries and will face Kanu nominated MCA Charcles Kamuren and ODM/NASA pointman cum activist Amos Ole Mpaka among others.
Another constituency in Baringo that is likely to have a female MP is Baringo North. Currently, two women are in the race to unseat Hon.William Cheptumo who is seeking a third term. Dr. Nelly Yatich who is vying on a Kanu ticket while Dr. Lilian Chesikaw is contesting as an independent candidate.