Waiguru and G7 have some homework to do

Kirinyaga governor Ann Waiguru makes her speech during the G-7 women empowerment forum at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos town on August 16, 2024. [John Muia, Standard]

On March 7, there were big dreams and utter admiration when Kenya’s seven women governors launched a roadmap for their caucus under the ‘G7’ banner.

The aim was to reform leadership and raise the stakes for women in politics through mentorship and branding. They also vowed to support more women become governors and deputies.

That was a moment of hope. But today, the G7 momentum has waned. Beyond the initial buzz followed by another launch in New York on March 23, the impact of this ‘ladies club’ is less felt.

To use a Texas analogy, the G7 of Council of Governors chair Ann Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos), Fatuma Achani (Kwale), Kawira Mwangaza (Meru), Cecily Mbarire (Embu) and Homa Bay’s Gladys Wanga, has become all hat and no cattle.

Last week’s news involving some of them attempting to shield Ms Mwangaza from impeachment, and a row surrounding demolition of a factory in Homa Bay to build the governor’s office, are the very latest shadows hanging over G7 and its pro-people pledges. 

On August 21, hours before Mwangaza was impeached, the G7 reportedly pitched camp at State House to pile pressure on President William Ruto to save an embattled ‘mtu wetu’ and colleague in total disregard of due process and the County Governments Act.  

Believe it or not, there’s a sour taste in many mouths. You will recall that President Ruto suggested that for UDA, women (likely from among governors) would be running mates to the president in future polls.

He and others had hopes. But regrettably, fire in the women leaders’ belly is gone!

Some G7 members may have done a sterling job in their counties. But there’s little or nothing that distinguishes some from their ‘notorious’ male counterparts whose counties are bogged down by inept management or simply failure to appreciate devolution.

Suffice to ask: What has G7 done to ensure better inter-governmental relations to give devolution goodwill?

How about turf wars, duplicity of roles and nepotism? What spectacular action will they take to ensure value for the more than Sh4 trillion spent on devolution since 2013?

Here are my two cents. To resonate with voters and inspire next generation of women leaders, the G7 must resist the temptation of public relations stunts that push leaders to hire pollsters to prop up their image or grand birthday parties just to be felt. All they need is to deliver a powerful socio-economic renaissance for the country.  

Indira Gandhi, the former premier, transformed India into a powerhouse in South Asia. She was driven by ambition, guided by unerring intuition and marked by pursuit of results. Similarly, Kenya’s G7 leaders must rely not on favours but their resilience.

Granted, Kenya has room for women willing to shine where men have failed. The G7 leaders and all women in the political space must be consistent and tough enough to face challenges like impeachments even if it means becoming ‘bad girls’ as Suba North MP Millie Mabona would say.

Kenyans need more pace-setters like Charity Ngilu, ‘Iron Lady’ Martha Karua, Wangari Maathai, Chelagat Mutai, Phoebe Asiyo and Jael Mbogo – women of steel who not only made history but did so with authenticity and a great sense of purpose. They left a powerful legacy.

Angela Merkel, former German Chancellor, once said: “I’ve never underestimated myself. There’s nothing wrong with being ambitious.”

Kenyan women politicians must forge their own paths hinged on a fighting spirit. They must not wait to be managed by parties and godfathers.

The G7, which has two party chairpersons, must not become a passing cloud. It isn’t just about political rhetoric but a fight for broader inclusion of women guided by the two-thirds gender principle.

We can be like Rwanda where there’s a self-confident female majority in Parliament, holding more than 60 per cent of plum seats.

Godspeed!

-The writer is a communications practitioner.