Women aspirants speak of intimidation, insults on campaign trail

Women in politics have acknowledged that the path to leadership is not an easy one.

Most of them brave intimidation, insults, innuendos and even humiliation on the campaign trail as they seek to be elected for various posts.

Some of the women politicians who spoke to the Nation say they have been called names by their male rivals and their supporters.

The words said are sometimes hurtful, but do not deter them from soldiering on and remaining focused on their mission.

Evalyn Chepkirui Aruasa, the Narok County deputy governor, who made a mark as the first chairperson of the Council of Deputy Governors, says it has not been a bed of roses given that she was elected to the position as a 30-year-old single woman.

MARRIED

“You do not know the pain of giving birth. What do you know about family and children? Get married first and learn what it is to be a wife and mother before asking for such positions,” she recalls the harsh words thrown her way by an opponent when she first joined politics in 2007 seeking to represent Narok South in Parliament.

She was reminded that in her Kipsigis community, “tradition dictates that one should first find herself a home before seeking political positions.”

Ms Aruasa, a lawyer, recalls the countless times she had to endure insults on the campaign trail but she has remained focused as she seeks re-election along with her boss, Governor Samuel Tunai.

Narok Woman Representative Soipan Kudate says it takes a courageous heart for a female politician to survive in the political world.

“It was very hard for me when I got into politics. The biggest propaganda launched against me was that I would get married outside our community, county or even abroad,” she says.

She says her opponents painted a picture of a risky situation by voting an unmarried woman into leadership.

PERSONAL ATTACKS

Ms Kudate, also a lawyer and holds a master's degree from the University of Washington and a bachelor's degree from the University of Nairobi, got married soon after she won the seat.

She said the society has continued to discriminate against women in all aspects of life.

The campaign season, she adds, is tougher for women as political propaganda and personal attacks are the order of the day.

“We have borne the brunt of the first breed of young women politicians. It might be easier for newcomers. We have chosen the path for them and for the sake of the girl child, they must soldier on,” she says.

The story is the same for women aspirants in Nakuru County.

Former Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara, who has returned to politics, says something has to be done to deal with a smear campaign that women are subjected to as they contest seats in the August elections.

“There is a lot of propaganda messages against me on social media, which has become a tool of choice for some of my male political opponents and their supporters,” she told the Nation in an interview.

SOCIAL MEDIA

She said unlike the previous years when opponents mainly faced off at public events, her rivals now take to social medial to belittle her candidature.

“Since I started campaigning I have deliberately avoided some of the social places for fear of being the subject of derision,” she added.

The former assistant minister has also had to deal with some unprintable epithets hauled at her as she seeks the Naivasha parliamentary seat.

Ms Kihara said like many female candidates, she has been struggling to finance her campaigns, depending on well-wishers to bankroll her campaigns.

Susan Kihika, the Nakuru County Assembly Speaker and Jubilee Party candidate for the Senate, singles out intimidation and propaganda by male politicians as the main challenge in her political journey.

“I have had to remain strong and focused. It is never an easy journey. Some male counterparts use dirty tricks to get you out of the way, including soiling your name," she said in a recent interview.

The latest was a story in a local publication insinuating that her campaigns are funded by top Jubilee Party stalwarts.

Charity Kathambi Chepkwony, who is eyeing the Njoro parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket, says she has had to cope with dirty politics and intimidation from her opponents.

“Sometimes my rivals use offensive language against me but l have had to soldier on and embrace an ‘honest campaign’. I never give up,” she says.

Reporting by Ruth Mbula, Macharia Mwangi and Magdalene Wanja.