Raila kin vouches fairplay for 2017 women governorship aspirants

Kisumu deputy governor Ruth Odinga in a past press conference.

Kenya network of women governors wants political parties to give women a fair opportunity in the battle for governorship seats in the country.

Ruth Odinga, chairperson of the network and Kisumu deputy governor, said it was a sad affair that no single woman was elected governor in the 2013 elections.

Of the 47 counties, only nine governors chose female running mates now serving as their deputies.

Ruth has said she will run for Kisumu governor in 2017.
"I want to tell the political parties to ensure level playing ground for women running for governor," Ruth said.

In Migori County, Nyatike MP Edick Anyanga’s wife Anne has declared interest in the seat.

Speaking at a funeral in Kisumu on Saturday, nominated MCA Ben Ombima said Anne has what it takes to be Migori Governor.

“She (Anne) tried it in 2013 and was made a running mate but her camp did not succeed, it is therefore in order to elevate such aspiring women governors to leadership positions without discrimination,” Ombima said.

He pointed out that having all women go for deputy governors remains discriminatory against the female folk.

During Luo cultural ceremony in Kisumu early this year, Cord leader Raila Odinga hinted that ODM may allow female leaders to deputize male governors and vice versa in 2017.

Raila said this will give an opportunity for more women to serve in top leadership of the counties, further assuring the group of level playing ground for all aspirants.

At least seven women have declared interest to run for governor in 2017, and are optimistic of winning the seats.

The lobbyists across the country see 2017 as a chance to break into the men-only club, that is the council of governors.
The Kenya Network of Women Governors will identify and campaign for viable candidates.

Apart from Ruth and Anne, other women seeking to run for Governor include; Joyce Laboso (Bomet), Cecily Mbarire (Embu), Margaret Kamar (Uasin Gishu), Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos) and Margaret Wanjiru (Nairobi.)
Eight women contested the position at the 2013 general election; 19 others sought seats in the Senate but none was elected.

Some 165 women battled it out among the men for Parliament's 290 regular constituency seats, while 155 women sought one of the woman representative positions.

Ruth said there is need for Kenya to have more women in elective positions.