Women have continued to shine as many of them have been considered in this year’s elections as running mates.
Just days after Narc Kenya party leader Martha Wangari Karua being picked as AZIMIO LA UMOJA flag bearer Raila Amolo Odinga’s presidential running mate, many governor aspirants have continued to unveil female running mates.
Jenipher Chemtai Mbatiany was on Wednesday May 18, 2022 selected as the running mate for the senate speaker Kenneth Lusaka who is eyeing the Bungoma gubernatorial seat on a Ford Kenya party ticket.
Speaking at Ken Lusaka command center,Jenipher who was overwhelmed by joy said that she didn’t see it coming considering she was the only woman among men who were eyeing for that position as the deputy governor should Lusaka manage to unseat the incumbent Wycliffe Wangamati.
“The search for a suitable running mate has been vigorous and am sincerely happy and humbled by the speaker for finding me fit for that position, I am eternally grateful and am going to hit the road running, I am going to deliver,” she said
Speaker Lusaka congratulated her noting that she is a dedicated, fearless, resilient woman of God and her contribution will affect the team positively.
He went ahead to ask those who were competing for the position but did not merit to stay put saying that there is more within the executive and the whole government assuring them that if he takes over the county government, they will be considered for other positions.
Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama who was also present backed Lusaka’s decision on settling on a woman as his running mate saying that he has demonstrated equity by making it clear that women are also good managers and able to handle huge leadership positions.
“You have broken the gist and we appreciate the fact that you have practiced inclusivity and making sure that the women are included and that they are fit for leadership positions and that our women are equal to the task to manage the people of Bungoma,”he said.
Tranzoia County hopeful and former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya on Friday May 13, 2022 also picked a female running mate.
Natembeya unveiled Mrs. Philemona Bineah Kapkor as his choice for deputy governor at an event held at Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) headquarters located at Chui House, Nairobi.
Philomena is a banker and Natembeya believes her experience and expertise will help the Tans Nzoia County grow should he clinch the county’s topmost seat.
Justina Wamae on Monday May 16, 2022 presented her papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as running mate to Roots Party Presidential aspirant George Wajackoyah.
Wamae was accompanied by Adam ‘otto’ Kadernani the Roots Party Secretary General and party leader Wajackoyah.
In an earlier interview with a local media station Wamae, 35, claimed that she will take her first puff of bhang on their inauguration day if they clinch the country’s top seat in the August, 9 general elections.
In February, Wajackoyah officially launched his State House bid with a promise to legalize bhang and suspend the constitution within the first six months.
