Today’s by-elections have dealt a blow to efforts aimed at increasing women’s participation in politics. Of the candidates contesting in parliamentary by-elections (six constituencies and one senatorial), only two are women.
They are Lilian Akinyi Aketch of the National Alliance Party, vying for the Ugunja parliamentary seat, and Sarah Wahito Gakahu of the Chama Cha Kenya Moja Movement, contesting the Magarini MP seat.
In the 2022 General Election, women accounted for about 11 per cent of the total number of candidates gazetted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The percentage in the by-elections, therefore, is a steep decline.
Ms Aketch has downplayed her gender as a critical factor in her candidacy.
“My entry into the fray is not about proving that I am a woman of guts, but a strong desire to walk through the path of genuine commitment to good governance.”
She adds: “I’m not contesting as a woman... I am in it as a leader who aspires to change how things are done. We have for too long applied the same formula of fielding men and getting the same results.
Continue Reading on Daily Nation Kenya
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.