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The Nairobian

Wanga's rise in ODM opens up space for women

Opinion

By Mike Nyagwoka | Aug 10, 2024

**Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.** [File, Standard]

The elevation of Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga to Chairperson of the Orange Democratic Movement is of great consequence to attainment of the gender principle.

Her new position also means the two biggest parties, UDA and ODM, are chaired by women, as Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire also chairs UDA. While the intention of the writers of the Constitution was for the gender principle to be effected by whatever means, including top-up, the most effective way is to have as many women aspire for political seats. That’s how we got seven women governors in 2022 elections.

That is also how we have over 20 per cent of MPs being women. Come 2027, the expectation is that number will go higher. One way of encouraging more women to participate in elective politics is by relaxing some requirements.

In the 2022 elections, UDA slashed nomination fees for women, youth and PWDs by half. By consequence, UDA has the highest number of elected women leaders, including governors. Of the seven, only two are from Azimio.

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We hope as chair of ODM, Wanga will apply her influence to have the same happen in 2027. Having women at the helm of the two political parties is also a great motivation for women out there to just try their hand in politics. These big political parties have been previously accused of being a preserve of the rich and connected.

Many potential female candidates have been locked out by the highhandedness of political leadership. Many times female candidates are the more disadvantaged in the jostle for tickets from popular parties.

However, any political observer will attest that there is a genuine push by the political leadership to push women higher up in the ladder. It is not even far-fetched to say Kenya will have a woman Deputy President soon. If women can effectively lead counties and national parties, they can certainly manage Kenya.

In 2022, Martha Karua missed being the first female DP by a mere 200,000 votes. As UDA presidential candidate, President William Ruto had also indicated willingness to have a female running mate. That was later complicated by political maths of the time.

However, in March this year, Ruto made another promise to women that he could request Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to vacate the seat for a female running mate in 2027. Hopefully, all political formations will consider the same so that there is a sure chance of a female DP.

Come 2027, Gladys Wanga, Cecily Mbarire, and chairs of the other parties should make it a principle that every governor candidate must have a person of the opposite gender as a running mate.

Political inclusion is the key to advancement of democracy. Beside women, effort must also be made to have other marginalised groups, such as youth and PWDs, involved in party leadership. The desired end is a society fair to all and where everybody is on the table.