Women in Western Kenya region are now demanding for their incorporation into all development committees within the region. Maendeleo Ya Wanawake organization Siaya County branch chairperson Patricia Apoli, laments that currently women are still not sufficiently represented in most committees. She demanded that they need to be represented in all the committees to conform to the constitutional provision of two-third gender representation.
Apoli made the remarks during a Maendeleo Ya Wanawake organization’s sensitization forum on socio-economic empowerment in Bondo town, where the members led by Bondo sub-county chairperson Millicent Ayuo appealed to the county government to support them to develop as well.
Ayuo stated however they would not wish to be given hand-outs, adding that instead they need to be awarded tenders and contracts so that they can make money on their own.
She said that they are capable of doing the cleaning and even roads construction work if given a chance, and therefore asked the County government to consider empowering them by awarding tenders worth Sh1 million and below to women organizations. However, nominated member of Siaya County assembly Anastasia Augo and the county Director of Social Services Kennedy Oreyo, who grace the occasion, challenged them to also ensure they unite and work hard to start up viable economic ventures that would uplift their socio-economic standards. Oreyo told them that the government and other donors would only be ready to assist a group that has something to present on the table.