Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire on Thursday, March 7 lauded President William Ruto for handholding women in the run up to the 2022 General Election.
Mbarire, who is also United Democratic Alliance – UDA chairperson recalled how Ruto burned the midnight oil to see to it that more women not only fly the party’s flag but also win the elections.
During the launch of the G7 Strategy for the Council of Governors (CoG) Women Governors Caucus at Safari Park, the former Runyenjes Member of Parliament cracked up the crowd when she revealed that the then Deputy President asked women politicians to be mindful of their dress code, especially while on the campaign trail.
In particular, Mbarire said that Ruto, now Kenya’s 5th President advised female apsirants to consider wearing bikers and trousers.
“He told us to wear long dresses together with bikers or trousers,” the Governor stated.
According to Mbarire, the President, the then UDA flagbearer, wanted all female candidates to be comfortable navigating the campaign, including mounting podiums and car roofs to address crowds with ease.
“Your presence here is a sign of believe in women leadership,” Cecily stated.
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Ruto on women capability
President William Ruto hinted at the possibility of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) fielding a female running mate in the future.
While speaking during the Women Governors’ Caucus G7 Strategy held in Nairobi, he stated that the move aligns with his vision to enhance gender equality in the UDA Party.
On the new strategy, Ruto called on the UDA Chairperson, Cecily Mbarire to mark the new changes for implementation in the future.
During his speech the head of state recognized women’s capacity in decision-making, singling out Anne Waiguru a two term Female governor and the chair council of governors.
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“Among the people who made decisions that confirmed to me that women are brave, is the decision Waiguru made to join our team. When she joined our team, I could not believe it. It took a lot of courage,” Ruto stated.
Ruto further lauded female governors for leading by example, and for outshining their male counterparts.
“The last election proved to be a transformational watershed in women’s participation in political leadership.
As a result, the number of women in each category of elective leadership grew, with the greatest leap being in the number of counties which elected female governors: Kwale (Fatuma Achani), Machakos (Wavinya Ndeti), Kirinyaga (Anne Waiguru), Embu (Cecily Mbarire), Meru (Kawira Mwangaza), Nakuru (Susan Kihika) and Homa Bay (Gladys Wanga),” said the head of state.
The G7 Agenda
Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga during the launch of the G7 strategy thanked president Ruto for the support that he accorded women leaders.
“Your Excellency, thank you for your indiscriminate support to the group and to all women,” Wanga stated.
Wanga who hosted Ruto for an International Investment Conference noted that the President treated all the governors equally regardless of their political affiliation.
On her part, Fatuma Achani of Kwale stated that Ruto traversed her county during campaigns where he drummed for her candidature.
Additionally, she expressed her vision of having 24 governors in the coming elections.
“Come 2027, we will have more than 24 women governors,” Achani remarked.
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On her part, CoG Chair Anne Waiguru said G7 strategy is designed to accelerate equal and inclusive representation in decision-making and to model efficiency and accountability in governance.
“Our goal is to increase the number of Women Governors from the current G7 to G16 in the upcoming general elections,” explained Waiguru.
