In 1997, then Kitui Central Mp Charity Kaluki Ngilu shocked the world with a well executed presidential campaign. Optimism grew then, that a lady head of state was on her way to State House. – By Faith Mutete
23 years later the dream has appears to have become just that: a sleepy, sweet dream.
Mean Kenyan male politicians and chauvinists have conspired against lady tenancy at State House. Even with the Uhuru Kenyatta succession gathering steam by the day there is no mention of a formidable lady candidate only muscular men on parade. Yet there is every indication a women President will change the dynamics both economically and otherwise.
Martha Karua
Ngilu was marketed as Mama Raibow by NARC in 2002, but it looks like she was just but a flower girl to placate women voters. Her die hard supporters in Ukambani and elsewhere hoped Ngilu was earmarked for greater political glory, but as it has turned out, this is yet to happen if at all. Talk of a referendum to create more positions and accommodate women has been on the cards. Should this come to pass, a Deputy President or Deputy Prime Minister slot may be set aside for a lady.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru will most likely be a candidate in such a scenario. Waiguru, who was sanitized recently by Raila Odinga as MCA’s went for the kill is an alternative route for top women leadership. She is highly visible, is well known all over Kenya and can be an easy commodity for political horse trading. It is looking increasingly possible that Raila Odinga is a lead candidate to succeed Uhuru once he exits in 2022.
Raila will most likely seek a strong ally in Central province. Waiguru will most likely be one of the allies. If this scenario works, then the Kirinyaga Governor may be in the thick of things to one day inhabit the house in the hill. She would have loved to have moved there in 2022 with her brand new husband, Kamotho Waiganjo. But there appears to be no chance for that now. Former Gichugu Mp Martha Karua contested for the Presidency in 2013.
She was viewed as a spoiler by GEMA mafioso, who felt she will dock some votes from Uhuru Kenyatta. The community has never forgiven her. She was rejected in her bid to become the Kirinyaga Governor in 2017. She now appears to be politically confused her next political move remains a mirage. Two weeks ago, she met Amani leader Musalia Mudavadi.
The meeting was viewed by analysts as non consequential and a waste of time. From a fiery Gichugu MP who walked out on then President Moi, to a high flying Cabinet minister who cheated death during a plane crash in Busia, Karua has seen it all.
Now a grand mother bidding her time in politics, Karua’s bid to once rule Kenya appears headed to the doldrums.
Ngilu came a distant fifth in the 1997 election. Then President Moi won the election followed by Mwai Kibaki, Wamalwa Kijana, Raila Odinga and Ngilu. But she had announced her arrival to high octane politics.
