86 AND COUNTING WOMEN LEADERS IN THE 11TH PARLIAMENT 86 AND COUNTING WOMEN LEADERS IN THE 11TH PARLIAMENT Acknowledgements The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) would like to thank the UN Women Country Director, Ms Zebib Kavuma, Ms Ursula Sore-Bahati and Ms Zipporah Musau for their unfailing support and confidence in AMWIK. We acknowledge the support and cooperation of all women legislators who availed themselves for interviews and were at hand to ensure the success of this work. This publication would not have been successfully completed without the active support of the following: Dr Wambui Jane Thuo and Lilian Juma for their initial input in the development of this publication; Writers, Born Maina, Caroline Wafula, Fatma Amiyo, Florence Gichoya, John Ngirachu, Julia Wanjeri, Lucy Kilalo, Lucy Maroncha, Margaret Mwangi, Mercy Njoroge, Moraa Obiria, Musembi Nzengu, Naomi Kamau, Njeri Rugene, Rachael Nakitare, Stephen Makabila, Tabitha Onyinge and Yvonne Mwende. Editors, Tabitha Onyinge, Murugi Murekio, Pamela Mburia and Helen Mudora Obande for the analysis, editing and proof-reading of the profiles. Designers, Virginia Mborura and Emily Odongo; and the overall coordination of AMWIK Executive Director, Helen Mudora Obande, and Deputy Chairperson of the board of AMWIK, Tabitha Onyinge. Acronyms AFC - Agricultural Finance Corporation AMWIK - Association of Media Women in Kenya APK - Alliance Party of Kenya CDF - Constituency Development Fund CORD - Coalition for Reforms and Democracy CSO - Civil Society Organization ECK - Electoral Commission of Kenya FGM - Female Genital Mutilation FORD - Forum for Restoration of Democracy GGP - Gender & Governance Programme GJLOS - Governance, Justice, Law and Order Sector Reform Programme GTZ - German Technical Cooperation IUCN - World Conservation Union JKUAT - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology KANU - Kenya African National Union KBC - Kenya Broadcasting Corporation KEWOPA - Kenya Women Parliamentary Association KICC - Kenyatta International Conference Centre KNCHR - Kenya National Commission on Human Rights KNUT - Kenya National Union of Teachers LEGCO - Legislative Council MP - Member of Parliament NGO - Non-governmental Organisation ODM - Orange Democratic Movement ODM-K - Orange Democratic Party of Kenya PNU - Party of National Unity RMS - Royal Media Service SONU - Students Organisation of Nairobi University TNA - The National Alliance Party UDF - United Democratic Forum UN Women - United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women UoN - University of Nairobi URP - United Republican Party COUNTY MPS Aisha Katana, Kilifi 01 Hellen Chepkwony, Kericho 33 Reginalda Wanyonyi, Bungoma 65 Alice Chae, Nyamira 03 Jane Machira, Laikipia 35 Rose Mitaru, Embu 67 Annah Gatheca, Kiambu 05 Janet Nangabo, Trans Nzoia 37 Rose Museo, Makueni 69 Beatrice Nyaga, Tharaka Nithi 07 Joyce Emanikor, Turkana 39 Rose Ogendo, Kisumu 71 Cecilia Ngetich, Bomet 09 Joyce Lay ,Taita Taveta 41 Roselinda Soipan, Narok 73 Christine Ombaka, Siaya 11 Maison Leshoomo, Samburu 43 Sabina Chege, Murang’a 75 Dennitah Ghati, Migori 13 Mary Mbugua, Nakuru 45 Shakila Mohammed, Lamu 77 Dorcas Kedogo, Vihiga 15 Mary Keraa, Kisii 47 Shukran Gure, Garissa 79 Eusilah Ngeny, Uasin Gishu 17 Mary Seneta, Kajiado 49 Susan Chebet, Marakwet 81 Fathia Mahbub, Mandera 19 Mishi Juma, Mombasa 51 Susan Musyoka, Machakos 83 Fatuma Ibrahim, Wajir 21 Nasra Ibren, Marsabit 53 Tiyah Galgalo, Isiolo 85 Florence Kajuju, Meru 23 Nyiva Mwendwa, Kitui 55 Wanjiku Muhia, Nyandarua 87 Florence Mutua, Busia 25 Priscilla Nyokabi, Nyeri 57 Winnie Njuguna, Kirinyaga 89 Gladys Wanga, Homabay 27 Rachel Ameso, Kakamega 59 Zainab Chidzuga, Kwale 91 Grace Kiptui, Baringo 29 Rachel Shebesh, Nairobi 61 Zipporah Kering, Nandi 93 Halima Duri, Tana River 31 Regina Nyeris, West Pokot 63 SENATORS (NOMINATED) Agnes Zani 137 Halima Abdille 155 CONSTITUENCY AND NOMINATED MPS Beth Mugo 139 Janet Ongera 157 Alice Ng’ang’a, Thika Town 95 Hellen Sambili, Mogotio 109 Naomi Shaban, Taveta 123 Catherine Mukiite 141 Joy Gwendo 159 Alice Wahome, Kandara 97 Janet Teiyaa, Nominated 110 Peris Tobiko, Kajiado East 125 Daisy Kanainza 143 Judith Sijeny 161 Amina Abdalla, Nominated 99 Jessica Mbalu, Kibwezi East 113 Rachel Nyamai, Kitui South 127 Elachi, Beatrice 145 Liz Chelule 163 Cecily Mbarire, Runyenjes 101 Joyce Laboso, Sotik 115 Regina Nthambi, Kilome 129 Elizabeth Ongoro 147 Martha Wangari 165 Esther Gathogo, Ruiru 103 Mary Emaase, Teso South 117 Sara Korere, Nominated 131 Emma Mbura 149 Mvita Mshenga 167 Esther Murugi, Nyeri Town 105 Mary Wambui, Othaya 119 Sunjeev Birdi, Nominated 133 Fatuma Dullo 151 Naisula Lesuuda 169 Grace Kipchoim, Baringo South 107 Millie Odhiambo, Mbita 121 Zuleikha Juma, Nominated 135 Godliver Omondi 153 Zipporah Kittony 171 Foreword nominated. With an increase from 9.8% compilation of AMWIK, this book provides to 19% representation, Kenya is now an opportunity for women legislators to ranked 76th of the top 100 countries gain national and international visibility in the World Classification of Women and support. It is a unique opportunity in National Parliaments. The marked to document the journeys of the women progress, a result of years of hard work to leadership as well as their contribution by different stakeholders in the women’s to Kenyan politics, and the development movement, deserves celebration. of the country. This work enriches our As we applaud this noble achievement, understanding of the challenges and it is important to note that the struggle for complexities that women face as they find gender equality is still far from over. The their space within the realm of leadership number of women in Parliament remains that is predominantly male. We believe inconsequential in comparison to 81% that these inspiring stories will spur of men at the National Assembly and more women to the center of political 73% at Senate. The 19% representation leadership. of women therefore remains below the AMWIK is grateful to all the women Constitutional bare minimum of 33% who selflessly shared their lives with us. provided by the Constitution of Kenya We also appreciate the support from UN Out of the eleven elections that have 2010. The enforcement of the legal Women, DIAKONIA and Heinrich Böll been held in Kenya since independence, provisions and gains that were hard-won Stiftung in promoting the visibility of the 2013 election will remain significant by the women’s movement remains an women leaders at the local and national in Kenya’s electoral history. The uphill task that all players must address levels. We look forward to enhanced Constitution of Kenya 2010 set the legal in order to realize fairness in political collaboration among the women political framework for promoting gender equality, representation. leaders, grassroots women civil society which has seen a record eighty six woman The sweeping changes in political organizations, the media and development elected and nominated to the eleventh opportunities for women over the past partners in a sustained vigilance that will Parliament. This number surpasses the 50 years are mirrored through the guarantee gender-based results in the total number of women representatives in individual stories of the eighty six women 11th Parliament and more women leaders the fifty years of independence combined. parliamentarians. 86 and Counting: in the coming election. In the last ten parliaments, Kenya has Women Leaders in the 11th Parliament, had a total of seventy five women, fifty documents the stories, challenges and Helen Mudora Obande of them elected while the other 25 were opportunities of women in leadership. A Executive Director, AMWIK ASSOCIATION OF MEDIA WOMEN IN KENYA (AMWIK) 86 AND COUNTING House No. 6, Wendy Court, David Osieli Road, Westlands WOMEN LEADERS IN THE 11TH PARLIAMENT P.O. Box 10327-00100 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: + 254 020 4441226/ 86 And Counting: Women Leaders in the 11th Parliament is produced with financial 0722 201958/0737201958 support of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women Fax: +254 020 4441227 (UN Women) through the Gender and Governance Programme (GGP). Email: [email protected] Website: www.amwik.org All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, except for brief quotation in books and critical reviews, EDITORS: Tabitha Onyinge, without the prior permission of the Association of Media Women in Kenya. Murugi Murekio Pamela Mburia Applications for the right to reproduce or translate this work or parts thereof are welcome and should be sent to the Association of Media Women in Kenya. DESIGNERS Virginia Borura Opinions expressed do not necessarily constitute the official position of the Association of Emily Odongo Media Women in Kenya. Published by the Association of Media Women in Kenya © Association of Media Women in Kenya 2014 ISBN 978-9966-149-14-5 1|COUNTY MPS 86 AND COUNTING | WOMEN LEADERS IN THE 11TH PARLIAMENT s a young girl, Kilifi County MP, Aisha Katana enjoyed watching her father compose songs, perform and dance his heart out while campaigning for the area councilor. Years laterA her father was elected the chairman of the local land adjudication scheme and Aisha could tell that he had power and influence on matters of development. Only 22 years old then, Aisha decided that the only place from which she could make a lasting impact on her society was from a position of power. She decided to work towards becoming a political