Machakos Governor Encourages Women to Pursue Elective Offices

MACHAKOS – Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has issued a call to action for women to actively seek elective positions rather than relying on nominations by political parties. During an event at the Mavoko subcounty headquarters on Saturday, where she distributed bursary cheques to nominated female Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), Governor Ndeti emphasized the importance of women’s participation in politics and the need for them to compete alongside male candidates in general elections.

According to Kenya News Agency, the challenge of misogyny, insults, and sometimes violence in the political arena should not deter women from aspiring to leadership positions. She highlighted that such adversities are part of the political landscape but should not discourage women from pursuing their ambitions. Governor Ndeti pointed out that despite these challenges, there has been a noticeable increase in the electorate’s confidence in women’s leadership, especially since the introduction of devolution in Kenya in 2013.

She noted the progressive increase in the number of women elected as governors, from none in 2013 to three in 2017, and seven in the 2022 General Election. This trend, according to Governor Ndeti, indicates a growing acceptance and support for female leaders among voters. However, she also acknowledged that Kenya still lags behind other East African nations in terms of women’s representation in leadership and stressed the need to close this gender gap.

Governor Ndeti’s remarks underscore the evolving political landscape in Kenya, where women are increasingly seen as capable leaders who can contribute significantly to the country’s development. Her call to action aims to inspire more women to overcome the barriers to their participation in politics and to strive for elective posts, marking a step towards gender parity in Kenyan governance.