Women from the Coastal region have been urged to join political parties to bolster their chances of being elected to achieve the two-third gender rule.
A political analyst and a stalwart of Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) Maimuna Mwidau speaking Thursday during a women’s engagement forum in Changamwe urged women not to take a back seat in political parties but take active roles.
The party which was formed eight months prior to the 2022 General Elections has one elected MP and four MCAs in Kwale. In Kilifi it has two MPs and six MCAs while in Taita-Taveta it has six MCAs.
The party is on a charm offensive to recruit new members in a bid to expand its wings across the six coastal counties.
“We welcome all women and our Gen Z to register with the party to make it popular. PAA is yours. All people have equal rights to join the party. Politics is a good game, it depends on your resolve, your life depends on your resolve, and your vote is key in bringing changes. The changes are by choosing the best leader,” said Mwidau.
She added that the country has women in all sectors and some are occupying political seats. She assured women that they would get PAA nomination certificates if they vie for elective positions.
“We will work together to ensure a majority of women are elected as Members of County Assemblies, the National Assembly and the Senate. If we achieve that we will have an opportunity to build the nation,” said Mwidau.
She encouraged women to form committees of 20 members at the polling stations, noting that the party doesn’t discriminate against members based on tribe, religion, or race.
PAA National Treasurer Sureya Hersi urged women not to use social media for insults but as a source of income. She encouraged the women to vie for political positions in the next General Election to transform their localities.
“Politic is for a season, let’s not fight other people’s battles. Men fight during the day but are together at night, you have been fighting for more than ten years, let’s unite and maintain peace,” said Hersi.
However, PAA National Deputy Women Leader Beatrice Achieng claimed there was favouritism in the party as nomination slots for MCAs in Kwale, Kilifi and Taita-Taveta counties were given to party loyalists.
Achieng called for cooperation among women to steer the party to greater heights.
