COUNTY POLITICS: Moment of reckoning for fiery Busia Woman Rep Florence Mutua
Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua at Okoa Kenya secretariat in Nairobi on May 22,2016, ahead of the anti-IEBC riots. She is being challenged for the seat by at least ten aspirants. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The decision by Florence Mutua to back Governor Sospeter Ojaamong’s re-election bid, has divided constituents
- Despite remaining the woman to beat, Ms Mutua must shake off competitors who include Nominated MCA Happy Gloria, Winnie Oyugi and Judith Odeeda to make any headway.
- Busia businesswoman Zilpah Bett (Vision Party of Kenya) and Grace Imo (Chama cha Mashinani) have also declared their ambitions for the slot.
The crowded field of politicians angling for Busia Woman Rep seat in the August 8, General Election has set up a stage for a fiery battle as the hunt for votes to unseat ODM’s Florence Mutua from county leadership shapes up.
The decision by the incumbent to back Governor Sospeter Ojaamong’s re-election bid, has divided constituents on whether to give her a second term or inject fresh governance.
For that matter, at least ten candidates from both Nasa affiliated parties and Jubilee have thrown their hats into the ring to halt her quest for a second term. This comes slightly over four years after she had a field day in the 2013 elections courtesy of negotiated democracy by senior ODM officials in the county.
The 2013 Memorandum of Understanding agreed upon at a Kakamega hotel recommended that Teso community take the governor’s seat which propelled Mr Ojaamong to leadership, the Bakhayo people were given the Senatorial seat (Amos Wako) while the Marachi got the Woman Rep slot.
ENCROACHING ODM ZONE
This scenario is no more and with more opposition parties encroaching into the hitherto ODM zone, Ms Mutua faces her first litmus test on Friday when nominations for her party will be held.
Despite remaining the woman to beat, she must shake off competitors who include Nominated MCA Happy Gloria, Winnie Oyugi and Judith Odeeda to make any headway.
Other hopefuls include former Busia county executive for Education and vocational training Azida Ali and Pauline Nagila (Ford Kenya), Ms Isabella Masinde, an environment and climate change expert (Jubilee), while Amani National Congress has Ms Susan Mang’eni flying its flag.
Contestants for Busia Woman Rep seat.
Busia businesswoman Zilpah Bett (Vision Party of Kenya) and Grace Imo (Chama cha Mashinani) have also declared their ambitions for the slot.
Ms Mutua, who has been advocating for women leadership at top level in most of her public rallies, says her agenda is to improve the quality of life in Busia County especially empowerment of the vulnerable.
She believes in both the girl and boy child who strongly feature in her day to day county programmes.
ACCESS TO EDUCATION
Ms Mangeni lists her priorities, if elected, as talent development among children especially in sports, opening access to higher education, promoting enterprise among women and youth and supporting agricultural productivity.
She would also promote environmental conservation, boost access to healthcare and peaceful co-existence among communities in the county.
On her part, Ms Ali plans to inject maturity, honesty and dedication into the county politics.
She comes into the race armed with immense community development experience and a strong track record in women and youth empowerment initiatives.
“I am passionate about women and youth empowerment. Our people lack basic life skills and that’s why we need to train them and open up ways for them to earn a living in a clean way.
Ms Masinde said she is the ideal candidate to restore the hopes of the people of Busia.
“My leadership will promote entrepreneurial skills through modern farming and table banking that will enable our communities get credit facilities.
