President Uhuru Kenyatta’s speech on women’s agenda has a striking resemblance to the agenda of ‘Inua Mama, Jenga Taifa’ group comprising women MPs and Senators affiliated to the Deputy President.
In a short video, doing the rounds on social media, President Uhuru encourages other women to uplift the lives of other women in all ways for they are “meaningful contributors” to the growth and development of the country.
President Uhuru said, ”We want to encourage you, and we want you to continue and we want you to capture even more of our girls and women, and we want you to help them realise that they can be meaningful contributors to the development of this country.”
The President urged the women to step out from their comfort zone and challenge the existing status quo of a patriarchal society where men dominate.
“You have the same capacity as men to help us achieve the dream of prosperity, peace, and stability in our country,” said President Uhuru.
His words are a striking resemblance to words of MPs and Senators affiliated to the ‘Inua Mama’ women group.
One is Bomet Women Rep Joyce Korir who challenges women to step out of the kitchen and empower themselves economically through money-making projects, and also seek political leadership.
MP Korir shares her quest for political leadership starting from a councilor, to Member of County Assembly and now County MP.
“Come out of the kitchen and start a business, so when your husband brings home Sh100, you also bring some money on board, and together you can grow your family,” said MP Korir.
Also, Tana River Women Rep Rehema Hassan urges women to dream big and endeavour to achieve more irrespective of the region they live in.
Despite Tana River being marginalised, she, MP Hassan believes that nothing should hole a focussed and determined woman back.
‘Inua Mama’ members traverse the country empowering the youth, women and disabled through giving of trolleys, gas cylinders, sufurias, brick making machines, cheques, posho mills, sports uniforms and balls among others.
They encourage women to seek political and community leadership and take over from them. They even recognise the former women leaders in their respective regions and honour them with a gift for holding their hands as they also sought political leadership.
The ‘Inua Mama’ members seek to pass the baton of leadership to others and exemplify their leadership role by giving back.
They have held meetings in Garissa, Tana River, Meru, Laikipia, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Nairobi, Kajiado, Nakuru, Njoro, Taita Taveta, Kwale, Tharaka Nithi, Kandara, Maragua, Nyandarua, Naivasha, Bomet, Marsabit, Isiolo, Turkana, Bungoma, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi. Other meetings lined up include Narok and Bomet.
