Women leaders ready to face men in Nakuru

Leaders in Nakuru County are spending sleepless nights strategising on how to capture seats in the 2012 elections.

Some have formed professional groups, hoping to use them as vessels to capture power.

Women in the county, however, are not taking any chances; they have given the men notice of intent to battle for the top county seats.

The women have revived the Nakuru chapter of Business and Professional Women Club Kenya (BPWCK) 2010.

“Women in Nakuru County will not lead from behind but from the front,” says Dr Maria Kariuki, the BPWCK Nakuru chapter chairperson.

“Men who are strategising on how to take over Nakuru county had better watch out as we are coming to take what is rightfully ours,” she said.

The women spelt out their agenda during the relaunch of the club at the Rift Valley Sports Club recently.

The colourful function, which was presided over by Public Health and Sanitation minister Beth Mugo and acting Higher Education minister Hellen Sambili together with Kenya Anti Corruption Commission boss PLO Lumumba, was the clearest indication from women in the county that this time they would be no pushovers.

“For a long time, women in Nakuru have not had significant representation in key positions, and it is high time  men knew that this time around we must take charge,” said Dr Kariuki.

“We shall not let this county to be turned into a dumping ground for influential women from Nairobi who migrated from Nakuru long ago and are now eyeing leadership positions through their political godfathers,” said Dr Kariuki.

She said the club was capable of identifying women candidates for the senator and governor’s seats.

“We shall back them irrespective of their political affiliation because we are tired of selfish leadership by men in this county,” she said.

Dr Kariuki, a psychology lecturer at Egerton University’s Njoro Campus, said the club would soon launch vigorous grassroots campaigns to educate women on leadership.

“Women are strong leaders in their families and it is this tie we want to strengthen and translate in society,” says Dr Kariuki.

She says women  have the numbers to change the way things are run not only in Nakuru but in the whole country.

She said, however, women were sometimes their own worst enemies as they shied away from responsibilities, leaving men to dominate.

Her sentiments were echoed by Mrs Susan Chepkurui Chesiyna, a board member of BPWC Nakuru chapter.

“Potential candidates are still shying away from the public but I’m hopeful that in due course they will declare their stand,” said Mrs Chesiyna.

She said most women who had shown interest in leadership in Nakuru were only eyeing the women’s representative seat.

None had shown interest in the governor or senator’s seats.

“I’m urging women not to hide. The new Constitution is not like the old one; women have a right to take up leadership positions without intimidation,” said Mrs Chesiyna, who has declared her interest in the Rongai parliamentary seat in 2012.

However, the organising secretary of BPWC, Rev Zipporah Muthoni Kimani, who has twice unsuccessfully vied for the Nakuru Town parliamentary seat, said she would go for the senator’s post.

“Women in Nakuru County have what it takes to lead the county, and this time I will vie for the post of senator,” said Rev Muthoni of the Faith Harvest Church.

She said many prospective women candidates were still doing their survey at the grass roots.

Nakuru County, with nine constituencies, is vast and will require enormous financial muscle for one to campaign.

Dr Kariuki said men should not be worried as women only want to strengthen the pillars of economic development.

“Our men should relax and stop worrying  and instead of spending sleepless nights, they should come out and back us as they stand to benefit from quality and dependable leadership ,” said Dr Kariuki.

She said most professional forums formed in Nakuru County had sidelined women, a clear indication that men have not recognised the role of women in leadership.

The forum’s other officials are Mrs Agnes Gichuru (vice-chairperson), Miss Josephine Mogaka (secretary), Ms Jemimah Ngunia (treasurer) and Rev Zipporah Kimani (organising secretary).

“Women are strategising on who they will support for all of the top seats,” said Mrs Chesyina.

Prof Lumumba said it was time women took their rightful position in the country’s political and economic matters.

He told the women to shun critics since they were capable of charting their own path.

Ms Mugo told the women to go for top political  positions in the new counties. “At least every county should have a woman senator or governor,” she said.

Echoing Ms Mugo sentiments, Dr Kariuki said: “We have the power of population in Nakuru and through our choice and voice, we can truly create a better county.”

But as women reposition themselves, they will face seasoned politicians with a lot of power and wealth.

Several names being floated as possible  candidates for the senator and governor’s seats are yet to declare their political interest in public.

Some  of the names are businessmen Peter Kinya and Joseph Gichuru, current Naivasha MP John Mututho and  former Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara.

Only former Molo MP John Njenga Mungai has gone public about his political ambition.

Nakuru county has a  population of more than 1.6 million people in six constituencies that include Nakuru Town, Subukia, Molo, Rongai, Naivasha  and Kuresoi.