I’ve just watched a major clean up of Wakulima market under the stewardship of Nairobi Governor elect Mike Sonko and I must say I’m impressed! Not that it’s the first time I’ve seen a market clean up but because the Governor elect has come in with so much gusto and I’ve a feeling he’ll keep it up. Its also good to see that the traders of Wakulima, and I’m sure traders in other markets in the country, are back to work, moving groceries and earning their daily bread.
I’m feeling curiously hopeful about the Sonko/Igathe team. I’ll admit I was very skeptical when I saw that he was vying but if he keeps this momentum, then Nairobi is surely headed for better times. I see he has given photographers greenlight to snap away and some of them were already rearing to get into town as soon as today to showcase the city. That was a twitter declaration I hope he works it into the bylaws so that kanjo police do not have any legal reason to continue with this harassment. I saw that he has also put cartels on notice and started sorting out salary arrears for workers. That is a city on the move! Not wasting a minute after elections. Sonko aside, other Governors and other leaders across the country have also laid down their plans and going right ahead with initial implementation. That is as we wait for the NASA complaints to be sorted out.
I was also particularly pleased by the performance of women in the polls. I was watching TV last evening and watched a short feature on Sophia Abdi Noor – MP elect for Ijara and the first ever woman to hold an elective post in Northern Kenya. I was elated by this win considering the political situation in her area where cultural beliefs are such that women are so discouraged from vying and leading men. For years and years, elders refused to bless Sophia citing flimsy reasons like possible requirement for maternity leave, some going as far as saying that the community would be cursed for having a woman leader. But she’s now at the helm and is forging forward with great plans for her area, among them to fight retrogressive practices that affect women in her area.
That is just one woman, otherwise as you’ll see from the list below, National assembly will have a very high number of women. A clear indication that the women agenda is on track in the country.
- Sophia Noor who will be representing Ijara,
- Ruth Mwaniki to represent Kigumo,
- Charity Chepkwong to represent Njoro,
- Even Obara to represent Kabondo Kasipul,
- Lilian Gogo to represent Rangwe,
- Beatrice Kones to represent Bomet,
- Wanjiku wa Kibe to represent Gatundu North,
- Mishi Mboko to represent Likoni,
- Naisula Lesuuda to represent Samburu,
- Janet Sitienei to represent Turbo,
- Sarah Paulata Korere to represent Laikipia North,
- Martha Wangari to represent Gilgil
- Jayne Kihara to represent Naivasha
- Rachel Nyamai to represent Kitui South
- Alice Wahome to represent Kandara
- Mary Waithera to represent Maragwa
- Naomi Shaban to represent Taveta
- Aisha Jumwa to represent Malindi
- Jessica Nduku to represent Kibwezi East
- Millie Odhiambo to represent Suba North
- Mercy Gakuya to represent Kasarani
Progress! From zero women Governors and Senators to 6 despite numerous challenges #OurVoicesKe https://t.co/6Xfo90JHM3 #OurVoicesKe pic.twitter.com/ibAfAAyoGM
— FemmeHub (@FemmeHub) August 11, 2017
We also can’t forget that Kenya has made history by electing the first women Governors and Senators.
