{"id":233447,"date":"2022-08-05T13:06:41","date_gmt":"2022-08-05T11:06:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/martha-karua-is-taking-centre-stage-in-kenyas-elections-what-it-means-for-women-in-politics\/"},"modified":"2022-08-05T13:06:41","modified_gmt":"2022-08-05T11:06:41","slug":"martha-karua-is-taking-centre-stage-in-kenyas-elections-what-it-means-for-women-in-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/martha-karua-is-taking-centre-stage-in-kenyas-elections-what-it-means-for-women-in-politics\/","title":{"rendered":"Martha Karua is taking centre stage in Kenya’s elections: what it means for women in politics"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For the first time in Kenya\u2019s history, a female candidate joins the centre stage in one of the main political coalitions in the country\u2019s August 2022 elections. It is unprecedented for large political blocs with a real chance of winning a Kenyan election to have a woman as a running mate. <\/p>\n

In May, veteran politician Martha Karua was announced<\/a> as the deputy presidential candidate for the Azimio la Umoja alliance led by Raila Odinga.<\/p>\n

Karua\u2019s background as a fervent democracy and integrity campaigner, as well as representing the important Kikuyu voting bloc in Kenyan politics, are important reasons for her appointment. Her candidacy is also interpreted as a strategy to win over female voters and signal that their concerns matter. Gender equality is on the election agenda in Kenya, with the two presidential frontrunners competing for women\u2019s votes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Azimio alliance has embedded a strong gender equality element<\/a> in its campaigning and presented its leadership as one that promotes gender balance. Karua\u2019s candidacy has helped underscore this point.<\/p>\n

Karua<\/a>, a lawyer and former minister of justice and constitutional affairs, is a veteran politician<\/a>. She first became a member of parliament in 1992 and made a stab at the presidency in the 2013 elections, representing a smaller party and receiving 0.36% of the votes<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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Read more: Latest approach to Kenya election hate speech raises more questions than answers<\/a> <\/strong> <\/em>\n<\/p>\n

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Women across the world face unique hurdles<\/a> when running for office in institutions dominated by men. Kenya is no exception. Karua\u2019s opponents have sought to undermine her on the basis of her gender.<\/p>\n

The 2022 race is heated, with high concerns about hate speech<\/a>. Research has also highlighted the prevalence of sexist rhetoric<\/a> in the body politic.<\/p>\n

So what does Karua\u2019s appointment mean for women in politics? And what would be the possible implications for gender equality in Kenya if she came to power as deputy president?<\/p>\n

Misogyny and gender stereotyping<\/h2>\n

Opponents of Karua\u2019s political bid began to discredit her immediately following the announcement that she would be a running mate. The attacks were personal and gendered.<\/p>\n

In one example, presidential candidate William Ruto and his running mate, Rigathi Gachagua, discredited Karua<\/a> during campaigns in Central Kenya, an important voting bloc<\/a>. Speaking in Swahili, they referred to her as \u201chuyo mama\u201d \u2013 meaning \u201cthat woman\u201d, and did not call her by name. <\/p>\n

In another campaign event, Sylvanus Osoro, a member of parliament, called into question<\/a> Karua\u2019s credibility to lead when addressing party supporters. He termed her unfit for the role of deputy president because she wasn\u2019t married. He insinuated that this indicated she was unreliable and would walk out of government should her coalition win. <\/p>\n

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Read more: Kenya election: sexist language shows that patriarchy refuses to give way<\/a> <\/strong> <\/em>\n<\/p>\n

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Karua\u2019s age and how it intersects with gender has also been used against her. Rival politicians have referred to her as \u201ccucu\u201d, a Kikuyu term for grandmother. She is 64. <\/p>\n

Karua\u2019s campaign<\/h2>\n

In a country where politics of personalities reign, Karua\u2019s competence is framed and viewed in a gendered lens. <\/p>\n

Critics point out that she has begun to conform to traditional norms<\/a> about women. There certainly is evidence that she has changed<\/a> her political image and strategy from previous campaign bids. <\/p>\n

For instance, she is said not to have been aggressive enough in the presidential debate, a sharp divergence from her long-term political persona as a firebrand and articulate debater. Kenyan media had long branded Karua an \u201ciron lady\u201d<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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Read more: The role of media in a Kenyan election: what you should know<\/a> <\/strong> <\/em>\n<\/p>\n

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Karua has nevertheless crafted her call for support from different demographic groups in gendered terms. Rather than ignore negative gender rhetoric, she is taking it on and echoing the rhetoric as a way to appeal to women, men, mothers and grandmothers. <\/p>\n

While promoting her alliance\u2019s social safety net programme, she addressed single mothers<\/a> directly: <\/p>\n

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I am one of you and we have plans for you. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Speaking on Azimio\u2019s youth employment agenda, she portrayed herself as a mother<\/a> of this age group: <\/p>\n

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If you see your mother represented somewhere, she won\u2019t forget your problems. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Additionally, the Azimio duo refers to themselves as \u201cMama\u201d (mother) for Karua, and \u201cBaba\u201d<\/a> (father) for Odinga, a term denoting his veteran politician status. <\/p>\n

Karua refers to Azimio\u2019s possible win as ushering in \u201cserikali ya baba na mama\u201d, which means a \u201cmother\u2019s and father\u2019s government\u201d \u2013 an analogy drawn from a traditional family set-up in Kenya where a mother and father have distinct roles. <\/p>\n

Significance of a win<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s clear that, yet again, both sides in an election campaign in Kenya are entrenching gender stereotypes. <\/p>\n

The appointment of Karua as Odinga\u2019s running mate must, however, be seen as a significant step forward. <\/p>\n

If Karua\u2019s alliance wins, she will be the first female deputy president in Kenya, a significant and symbolic win for the women of Kenya. Supporters have praised Karua as a competent leader who\u2019s shown integrity and vision<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Yet, the reformist agenda advancing gender equality will be no mean feat for Karua to deliver. There are several issues facing the country, including entrenched gender norms that bar women\u2019s empowerment. Karua\u2019s alliance has specific pledges<\/a> for women embedded in its manifesto, including providing them with financing and key government appointments. <\/p>\n

While Karua has a legal background and enjoys support from diverse professionals and civil society, Kenya\u2019s gender equality problem will not be legislated away. It requires comprehensive transformation.<\/p>\n

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Read more: How Kenya courted a constitutional crisis over parliament’s failure to meet gender quotas<\/a> <\/strong> <\/em>\n<\/p>\n

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Research has shown that political representation doesn\u2019t automatically translate into substantive progress on gender issues. Yet, hope exists. Studies<\/a> show that, for example, the representation of women in African cabinets is important for the promotion of gender equality policies.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the ascent of women to the highest political positions<\/a> \u2013 as in the case of President Joyce Banda in Malawi \u2013 empowers female members of parliament. <\/p>\n

The election of a female deputy president in Kenya could therefore have important transformative effects on gender equality in the country. <\/p>\n

Amina Ahmed, a Rotary Peace Fellow and research assistant at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University, is a co-author of this article.<\/em><\/p>\n

Source: The Conversation<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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