Women candidates score poorly in races

PHOTO | FILE| JACOB OWITI Narc-Kenya Presidential aspirant Martha Karua addresses a rally at Kondele grounds in Kisumu on December 18, 2012. She was the only female presidential candidate in the just concluded General Election

All the 47 counties will be headed by men after the seven women candidates lost in their bids for the governorship.

As the election results started trickling in on Wednesday, there were also indications that the Senate would become a male domain, with the 18 women candidates trailing.

However, there was a ray of hope in the National Assembly races where at least 10 women were headed for victory after bruising battles in the male-dominated political arena.

Mr Uhuru Kenyatta’s TNA has the highest number of women headed to Parliament, with six from Central Kenya.

The six are Special Programmes minister Esther Murugi (Nyeri Town), assistant minister Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes), and newcomers Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town), Alice Wahome (Kandara), Mary Wambui (Othaya) and Esther Gathogo, who was last night in the lead for the Ruiru seat.

Ms Peris Tobiko has also bagged the Kajiado East seat on a TNA ticket as did Dr Naomi Shaban in Taveta.

In Teso North, Ms Mary Emase of URP clinched the seat on her first attempt, while former Cabinet minister Prof Hellen Sambili defended her Mogotio seat on a Kanu ticket.

In Sotik, Dr Joyce Laboso retained her seat on a URP ticket, while in Mbita former ODM nominated MP Millie Odhiambo made short work of her male rivals.

In Ukambani, university lecturers Jessica Mbalu and Regina Ndambuki as well Mrs Kaki Nyamai of Wiper were elected to represent Kibwezi West, Kilome and Kitui South constituencies respectively.

In Nairobi, the fate of Bishop Margaret Wanjiru was not clear since the results for the senate race had not been released.

Former Central Bank deputy governor Jacinta Mwatela lost narrowly in the Taita Taveta governor race.

Cabinet minister Prof Margaret Kamar and assistant minister Wavinya Ndeti also lost the governorship in Uasin Gishu and Machakos.

Seasoned politicians Martha Karua and Charity Ngilu lost in their bid for president ad senate, respectively.