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{
    "id": 600713,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/600713/?format=api",
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    "content": "The same should happen to governorship. I really think that we need women touch in the county. There are seven deputy governors who are women. Where they have been, I think they have tried to panel-beat the men to come into order. I know they have been very useful whether it is Mombasa County, Narok County or Kisumu County where a woman deputy governor has worked so hard to try to bring out matters of corruption in the county. We need to have an opportunity in the next elections where we have up to 10 women. I know a few constituencies where women candidates are already positioning themselves to be governors, and I believe they are going to make a great difference in our counties. Madam Temporary Speaker, this is the message that we must pass across the board. You are an inspiration. The opportunity that was given to Senators Godliver, Zani and Lesuuda is an opportunity for you now to use this environment you have for the remaining one-and-a-half years to position yourselves to be elected. You should not have an excuse about it. I see some people are very apologetic. They go to a media and say they are just nominated Senators and they are not interested in anybody’s seat. There is nobody’s seat. When we reach the next elections, all seats will be returned back to the people and then the people will now return their power back and elect new people. We should refuse this mentality of trying to hold on to elected positions. I sometimes have a conversation with my constituents and Kenyans on WhatsApp trying to say Murkomen will not be re-elected in 2017. That is not the debate now. The debate between now and 2017 is that we must deliver services. Come 2017, Murkomen can be able to say he is happy he has served this country for five years as the Senator for Elgeyo- Marakwet and he now wants to go home and rest. Others will say that they want to be governors, others will say they want to be presidents, and there is nothing wrong with that. The point I am making is that women must not shy away from taking us head on even if you are nominated in the same constituency, you must be able to sell your ideas. I have a number of women friends in this House who are positioning themselves for various positions in the country. They have my blessings and I wish them well. If there is anything I can do to encourage them to take those positions, I will be more than proud to say that these are the men and women who have served in this House. Madam Temporary Speaker, we must overcome the cultural barriers. I know most of us go through that, but I really feel for people from pastoralist areas. Sen. Lesuuda, for example, comes from a place where moranism is is glorified. Perhaps, there is never been a situation where a woman has been elected to a certain position, except the one reserved for women. I say with a lot of humility that the young ladies, like Sen. Lesuuda and others, need to sit down with those who have gone through this process. You need to sit down with the hon. Martha Karua, hon. Lina Kilimo, Sen. Beth Mugo, hon. Julia Ojiambo and other women who have made it through difficult situations and listen to their advice. Let us not assume that we know everything. Let hon. Lina Kilimo tell you how she was able to convince a semi-pastoral community like the Marakwet to vote for her twice. That is a wonderful story that must be told. I saw a book documenting how women succeed to come to office. It is that kind of knowledge and wisdom that will assist us to have more women in the National Assembly, the Senate and the gubernatorial office. I am saying this to please the women The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}