We’ll vie for elective seats in 2017, Siaya women vow

Over 30 women in Siaya County have vowed to challenge men in various elective posts come 2017 General Elections, barely a week after Mama Ida Odinga asked women to vie for elective posts.

Led by Ugenya parliamentary hopeful Mary Omondi Olute, the women promised to scramble for Parliamentary, Senate and Ward representative seats.

“Men have reigned in the field of leadership for so long. We, as women, feel that we  also have what it takes to hold those elective posts; we are even more capable of performing better than the men,” Olute said.

Omondi made the remarks during a women aspirants’ workshop that was organised by and NGO – National Democratic Institute (NDI) – at a hotel in Bondo town.

Siaya County MCA, Anastacia Augo, echoed in Omondi’s words, adding that this time they will not bank on nominations.

“We are never given the opportunity to effectively articulate issues affecting women because we have not been elected,” the aspiring MCA lamented.

The workshop was also attended by former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Social Services, Jackline Oduol. She encouraged women to come together and support one another as this would enable them get the elective posts they were seeking.