The introduction of the multiparty political system in 1992 was a major milestone towards opening the democratic space in Kenya.

However, it was not yet Uhuru for women in Nakuru who struggled to penetrate into the realm of the male dominated political arena.

Susan Wanjiku 61, a former nominated councillor in Nakuru, has walked the journey towards breaking the norm of women playing second fiddle to men in matters of leadership and governance.

Before her nomination into the then Nakuru Municipal Council in 1997, Ms Wanjiku had served as Nakuru branch chairperson for the Democratic Party which was being led by the late President Mwai Kibaki.

However, despite her dedication and loyalty to the party her nomination did not come without opposition from the male elected leaders who felt the position ought to have been given to their fellow men.

“Most of them protested my nomination to the point that my party leader Mwai Kibaki had to intervene. He understood how much I had worked for the party,” said Ms Wanjiku.

Ms Wanjiku says that women faced a myriad of challenges not only in getting elected or nominated to leadership positions but also in discharging their mandates in their capacities.

“During that time, women had to work exceptionally hard to earn a nomination from the party compared to their male counterparts. This is because men did not want to have women within their ranks,” said Ms Wanjiku.

She explained that very few women had the resources to participate in the expensive elections and had to fight for affirmative action from the government.

“The few women who got lucky to get the leadership positions worked very hard to address the issues affecting the community, especially those affecting women," Ms Wanjiku noted.

The former civic leader says things have greatly changed over time as more women have been able to successfully compete in active politics against their male counterparts.

She however regretted the manner in which the nomination is currently being carried out where the male politicians are dishing the positions to relatives and girlfriends.

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