A section of women from Mavoko Sub County on Sunday skipped the first lady's half Marathon held at the Nairobi's Nyayo Stadium due to lack of transport.
Addressing women at St.Jude Catholic Church in Athi River during the International Women Day on Sunday, Mavoko Sub County Maendeleo ya Wanawake Chairlady, Angelina Malonza, said that over 500 women from the region were set to join the first lady's, Margaret Kenyatta's event in support of Beyond Zero Campaign, only to be let down by means of transport.
"Mavoko women were to support the first lady's marathon only that we did not have transport to Nairobi," said Malonza.
This is despite the fact that women had each bought a T-shirt for marathon participation. Each T-shirt cost Sh1500.
Malonza attributed the failure to poor leadership in Maendeleo ya Wanawake claiming that Machakos County Chairlady, Francisca Mutinda was not cooperative.
She said the chairlady had neglected the leaders and instead worked with none elected women whom she hand picks to represent her in different women forums in the sub county level.
Malonza who expressed her disappointment on Mutinda urged all women across the country to unite to ensure women empowerment and development arguing Maendeleo ya Wanawake is non political organization.
She said the sidelined leaders will not watch as the Maendeleo ya Wanawake leadership divide women along political lines hence vowed to mobilise women in the county to fight back through organized protests against the county leadership if the chairlady does not change.
Efforts of this writer to reach Maendeleo ya wanawake county leadership were futile as their phones went unanswered.