Nairobi News

Women in Kenya have asked to be considered for more leadership position if the Azimio Coalition wins the August 2022 polls.

The Coalition is led by Raila Odinga who is gunning to succeed Uhuru Kenyatta.

Speaking at the launch of the Azimio Women movement in Nairobi, women leaders also urged Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to ensure they are offered equal rights on campaign platforms void of intimidation.

The coalition leader Beth Syengo also urged women to come out in large numbers and seek elective posts as they support Mr. Odinga’s presidential bid.

“We as Azimio Women movement have our targets and we want to make sure we produce at least 20 women governors and 20 women senators. We are also going to sit within the Azimio secretariat to request at least 5 direct nomination slots for Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) for women in every county.” Syengo said.

Rachel Shebesh, the Chief Administrative Secretary in the Gender Minsitry urged the Azimio secretariat to provide them with resources to campaign for Odinga.

“We are ready to hit the road and make sure Raila Odinga becomes the next president. As the Jeshi la Baba we demand more campaign funds from the Azimio campaign kitty because women are the ones who vote and are involved in the campaigns at the grassroots level.” said Shebesh.

And Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Gedi hit out at Deputy President William Ruto’s campaign brigade saying there is need to respect women as they carry out the campaigns.

“We have seen what our opponents do in their campaigns. Some of them are asked to turn to the crowd and dance for the audience in a compromising way. As Azimio women, I plead with you, let us respect ourselves as women and look for votes in a respectful manner.”

They spoke during the launch of the Azimio Women Movement at a hotel in Nairobi.