Fatuma Gedi: The iron lady of north eastern politics

In several parts of this country, women leadership remains unpopular, and particularly in politics which is still largely considered a male domain. Kenya’s north eastern region is one such place.

Though not completely unheard of, the thought of a woman in power still makes some people uncomfortable.

Culture, religious beliefs and societal perception in these parts have provided formidable barriers to women’s leadership aspirations and put them at a great disadvantage when contesting for political positions.

Unlike their male counterparts who receive the full support of the community and blessings from the elders, women seeking political positions have had to ride on very little support or go solo.

Despite it all, the current crop of women leaders from the north are fast changing both the country’s political landscape and the region’s perception of women leadership.

IRON LADY

One such woman is Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Gedi.

Mrs Gedi has claimed her space in the region's politics among her male colleagues in a quite uncommon fashion.

Not new to controversy, Mrs Gedi has stood several tests in characteristically murky politics to defend her place.

Earlier this year, the ‘Iron Lady’, as she is commonly referred to, was accused of bribing some members of the National Assembly to shoot down the highly controversial sugar report.

The accusations elicited mixed reactions from across the country as well as her own political backyard/home ground.

She took on one of her accusers, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, who claimed she had offered him Sh10,000 to shoot down the report, and demanded an apology from him for attempting to tarnish her name.

SCANDAL

Not long after that, a sex tape surfaced online allegedly involving Mrs Gedi and an unknown individual; a scandal which almost ruined her career and threatened irreparable damage to her reputation.

Mrs Gedi fought off the allegations and remained put, attributing the attack to her political foes.

To some, the video would slow down her political momentum, but her resolve only grew.

In a fearless defence of her honour, she blamed her opponents for orchestrating the video in a bid to ruin her career.

Last Thursday, Mrs Gedi got reprieve after MPs quashed a report which recommended that she be punished for allegedly leaking DCI summons involving four MPs in regard to the video. The decision was cause for celebration for her die-hard supporters.

Mrs Gedi has since called on the arrest of the four MPs who she accuses of involvement in the circulation of the video which she says ruined her image.

SUPPORT

In June this year, Mrs Gedi, who is also a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, made headlines yet again after she was assaulted by Wajir East MP Rashid Kassim at Parliament building for failing to allocate money to his constituency.

This incident saw majority of Kenyans rally behind her and ultimately resulted in the arrest and arraignment of the MP.

Apart from her political battles at the national front, Mrs Gedi is loved and loathed in equal measure back at home.

Her intense criticism of the county leadership for their involvement in graft after claims of corruption in the county government emerged, has put her at odds with a fraction of leaders and their supporters.