Presidential contender and ODM leader, Raila Odinga, announced his running mate to be Martha Karua for the seat of deputy president.
This is groundbreaking and marks a moment in history because it marks the first time in Kenya that a woman has run for the presidential ticket under a major political party. This could mean that Kenya will have its first female deputy president in history if the election goes in favor of the Azimio La Umoja alliance.
Martha Karua was once Raila’s rival when she ran for the presidency herself in 2013. This just goes to show she has had a remarkable career. Karua,a lawyer by a profession, began her career as a Magistrate in 1981. Some of the most notable achievements in her career include representing the late Koigi wa Wamwere as a human rights lawyer against charges of treason under Moi’s government in 1987. She played a major role leading the government team that mediated with the opposition party during the post-election violence period in 2007. Karua was Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs but resigned in 2009. She also served as the first female MP for Gichugu constituency from 1992 till 2013.
“The Iron Lady”, a nickname she acquired because of her strength said in her acceptance speech that “this is a moment for the women of Kenya. Generations of women have fought for space at the decision making table.” We definitely concur. No matter which way the election goes, the mere fact that she has been able to run for the deputy presidency seat under a major political party holds a lot of significance for Kenyans everywhere.
For one, it serves to empower the next generation of Kenyan, female politicians because they know that their goals are attainable and they can in fact pursue high political seats regardless of their gender.
It also breaks barriers by normalizing the idea of women in Kenya holding political power meaning she will be first of many and having a female president will happen sooner rather than later. Very many Kenyans are moved by Martha Karua’s work as a women’s rights activist, this will mean we are likely to now have an increase in voter registration where people who said they will not vote will take to the polls in hopes of electing a female DP.
Regardless of what your political preference may be, this is a milestone for women in Kenya and it embodies that women are now wearing the pants and taking their seat at the table.
Politicians all over Africa have been taking up space- currently the continent has two female presidents. Our immediate neighbor to the South, Tanzania has had female president, Samia Suluhu Hassan since the sudden passing of their last president, John Magufuli last year.
Also in East Africa, Ethiopia’s president, Sahle-Work Zewde has held this position since 2018. Before that, she was a successful diplomat and she is currently the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), a position which she is the first woman to hold.
The first-ever democratically elected head of state on the continent was Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, she was the president of Liberia from 2006 – 2018. She dealt with a country that was crippled by two civil wars and ethnic violence and restored peace and prosperity. She was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for this and empowering women’s rights.
Many other women in Africa have served as appointed presidents or prime ministers in moments of national crisis and as interim or acting presidents. For instance; Sylvie Kiningi of Burundi (February – October 1993), Ivy Matsepe-Cassaburi of South Africa (September, 2005), Joyce Banda of Malawi (2012-2014) and Catherine Samba who acted as president of the Central African Republic from 2014 to 2016.
Despite making major strides in women in politics, as a continent we still have a long way to go. We hope we can continue on this upward trajectory towards seeing more women in significant political roles, one step at a time.