Kenya as a country has had very few women elected to various positions in the country. Many have been appointed to various posts in government and other commissions.
Samburu County for example has over the years has considered it a taboo for women to seek leadership roles. No woman has ever been elected to parliament save for the nomination of the current Women Representative for Samburu County Maison Leshormo by the Kibaki administration.
Unlike the last general election, many women have expressed interest to vie for different seats in the coming general elections.
Since the revision of the Constitution in 2010 that saw the creation of county governments, 47 counties were created, each with its own female representative that pushed the number of women in Parliament up to 19.5 per cent.
Are women changing the face of power in the country? Naisula Lesuuda’ quest to become the first woman Member of Parliament for Samburu West Constituency and Jennifer Lekisat, the first woman Member of the County Assembly for Ndoto Ward, Emily Leshore for Member of County Assembly, Maralal and other women seeking political seats came up short. And what about these women, who are in a tough battle to unseat the incumbent Lati Lelelit for parliamentary seat for Samburu West Constituency, Rais Letura as sitting MCA for Ndoto Ward and Elly Loldepe, the incumbent Maralal town MCA respectively.
Nevertheless, the good news is that a majority of Kenyans agree that women should have the same chance of being elected to political office as men.
There are many reasons why women’s participation in politics is the key to good governance. Experts say women are key to the new breed of politicians who offer Africa the opportunity for democracy.
To achieve the Beijing target, Kenya has special seats for women representatives in parliament even though last year, Parliament failed to pass the two-thirds gender rule bill on two occasions, which made the High Court to direct the Attorney General and the National Assembly to enact legislation on the gender bill.
Will they make it or will the culture and tradition take part?