Ida Odinga urges women to vie for elective posts

Cord leader Raila Odinga’s wife, Mrs Ida Odinga, has challenged women in Siaya County to come out and vie for key leadership posts in next year’s General Election.

Speaking at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Siaya County on Tuesday, Mama Ida noted that despite the fact that affirmative action has been taken to narrow down the gender gap, women in Siaya should try and compete for key  elective posts instead of waiting to be nominated.

“Affirmative action has given women a head start as it is meant to narrow the gender gap, but nobody will come to your house to tell you to vie. You have to come forward and offer yourselves for elections,” she advised.

The former Prime Minister’s wife said that it is quite unfortunate that people have started scheming for various elective posts but women in Siaya County are still silent.

“I can see some women from other counties going for these positions but I have never heard a woman from Siaya wanting to be a governor or a senator yet we have very many educated women who are qualified to take the positions,” she added.

Ms Ida also noted that the women stand a better chance of winning if they get the support of their counterparts because women make up the majority of the voter population.

“If we really decide to vote for our fellow women, then we will get them into these positions considering that we take the majority number of  60 per cent as voter. We want more women to be elected and not just nominated,” she said.

Siaya County MP Dr Christine Ombaka, who was also present in the occasion, pleaded with members of the society to ensure they protect the rights of the girl child by giving them equal opportunities as their male counterparts.

Witten by Chebet Birir