Mijikenda elders in Likoni have said they will not back a woman to vie for the parliamentary seat in the next general poll.
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the elders said their custom does not allow them to support a woman to contest for the seat.
Led by Rashid Doka, the over 2000 elders who had attended a meeting in the constituency, said women cannot be trusted to hold high posts, as they do not handle challenges like their male counterparts.
This comes at a time when Mombasa Woman Rep Mishi Mboko has declared interest in the seat.
They elders argued that men are not only decisive but also firm thereby making them better placed to lead the community as opposed to women.
“All these men you see here with grey hair are wise. We have sat and consulted widely. We have arrived at our decision and what remains is to vet aspirants,” said Doka, as quoted by Baraka FM.
The elders, however, said that they will support women to contest for other positions during the elections including Member of County Assembly (MCA), Women Rep and clerical jobs at the County government.
“These elders have decided to install a man. If a woman asks queries, we shall inform her of other positions she can fit in,” he said.
According to the daily, the elders endorsed Likoni ODM chairman Hassan Domoko for the seat.