Maendeleo ya Wanawake warns Jumwa against interference

Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa. [Samson Wire, Standard]

Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) leaders in North Rift have warned Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa against interference and instead asked her to work with officials.

They said there were allegations in the media to the effect that some individuals were hatching plans to disband the organisation, which has agitated for the interests of women for decades.

The leaders claimed that since the CS took office, she has not had a formal engagement with them.

The women asked Jumwa not to be misled by some officials but call the MYWO leadership to discuss pertinent issues.

Speaking in Cheranany constituency, Trans Nzoia county on Wednesday, the leaders said there were unfounded allegations in the public that risk distabilising the organisation.

Led by MYWO acting patron Zipporah Kittony, the leaders urged Jumwa to respect the development of women initiated over the years saying many have benefited from the organisation since its formation in 1952.

"I want to state that allegations against the current leadership are personal and should be condemned at all costs," said Kittony.

"The women organisation did not start Thursday, it was founded in early 1952 and was officially recognized as an achievable programme for women development by the founder of this country, the late President Jomo Kenyatta, we need to be respected," she added.

Kittony further stated the organisation that is now 72 years had weathered many storms.

The patron said the group has a proper constitution revised in 2016 and confirmed in 2019 at MYWO AGM.

"The CS who is the age of my daughter, should get to understand that we as the grass root leaders do not want to see a noble organisation being shuttered by few uninformed individuals who claim to be members of the organisation," she warned.

Wilbroda Khaoya, a patron from Trans Nzoia claimed that the CS is being misled by some individuals who do not understand the importance of the organisation.

She asked the minister to call an urgent meeting with stakeholders instead of working with 'self-seekers out to destabilise the organization.

"The Gender CS has never called a meeting since she was appointed, she has never bothered to know where the Kenyan women who are the leaders are, instead she has chosen to work with a few," Khaoya claimed.

Salina Tororei from Uasin Gishu said the women organization has rules and regulations like taboos and culture which are used in the African customs that prohibit destroying old women in their homes.

"The CS should know that we are there to stay and able to offer any reasonable assistance needed, we want her to meet these members before things get worse because we are ready to work with her," Tororei said.