Prof. Nzomo: Proposed Constitution Good for Kenyan Women

John Cheruiyot

A one day workshop held at a Kericho hotel recently brought together over forty women leaders from the greater Kericho districts. The delegates came from Kericho East, Kericho West, Chepalungu, Sotik, Bureti, Bomet and Kipkelion. The meeting was hosted by Rift Valley Rural Women Network founded by Dr.Esther Keino and was facilitated and sponsored by Centre for Multiparty Democracy. Among the facilitators was Prof.Maria Nzomo, one of the leading gender activists in Kenya on women rights.

The workshop’s theme was ‘Gains for women in the proposed constitution.’
Prof.Nzomo observed that she was not beating about the bush when it comes to women issues and their rights. That the proposed constitution has what we women right fighters fought for for decades. She further observed that women should not be worried about what men think on the constitution but on what the document says about their issues.
“We shall have no excuse at all as women if we let this opportunity of having a new constitution disappear into the thin air ,” she added.

She further noted that culture and traditions have been used to pin women down, that Wambui Otieno lost the case of her husband in the 1980s because culture overruled everything and that the proposed constitution will eradicate outdated and retrogressive traditions which have enslaved women for centuries. She also noted that “history of political parties is such that the youth, women, minorities and the disabled were marginalized. Political parties have been for decades been run on thuggish principles tilted to favour men against women. For instance, look at what happened to Prof. Julia Odhiambo in 2007 and after. It is time we assert ourselves as women. We have what it takes. We can stand as independent candidates during the elections. You can contest for presidency as an independent candidate. The days of the mighty party chairmen are gone. Only in the proposed constitution.” She added that in the proposed constitution women will be recognized and so will the youth, the disabled and the elderly.
She dismissed the issues of land, abortion and Kadhi courts as merely political propaganda.
She observed that the proposed Senate will have 16 women out of the 47. It will also have the youth and the disabled where gender will be considered.
She further observed, “Women should wake up and seize the opportunities before them. In the proposed national commissions women should stop being mere members or vice chairs but be at top positions in institutions such as the Kenya National Human Rights Commission.”

The women who attended the meeting shared very personal testimonies on how the existing constitution has oppressed women. Dr. Keino gave a classic example of her son born in the US 32 years ago who could not be granted Kenyan citizenship, because her Kenyan citizenship as a woman would not conferred to her son automatically. She noted that the proposed constitution will bring at par both men and women. Another participant gave her testimony that “when I was to go abroad for a seminar the law put it that I was to get the permission from my husband!”
Another lady revealed, “I am a single mother. I have children and I stay in my father’s land. My brothers are all entitled to my father’s land but I am excluded. The outdated traditions and culture ignored my existence. The proposed law gives me a voice.”

Another stated, “The reason why women find themselves in Tengecha or Koinage Street of Kericho is simple. They have no land, hence they are forced out into prostitution by retrogressive traditions and cultures.”
She further added that the reason why the political class are rejecting the proposed law is because it will tilt the equation of society towards justice and fair play.

A widow from Belgut narrated, “I have four daughters and no son. The brothers of my late husband have decided that I will not inherit my husband’s share of land because I did not give birth to a male child. It is that bad. We need a law for 21st century Kenya.”

One other participant observed, “We come from a NO zone. Wearing of a green T-Shirt or fronting the proposed constitution is criminal. People are scared . Those who supported a party other than ODM in 2007 had their houses torched. They were frog-matched and displayed in market centres as species of ridicule.”

Prof.Nzomo noted that after the repeal of section 2A in the early 1990s,the atmosphere throughout the country was hostile for all who opted for a party other than KANU. We were harassed, ridiculed and branded radicals. Today we have freedom of association. Those of you facing similar situation should know this-no scenario is permanent. The walls of intimidation and ridicule will fall before our eyes. ”

Prof. Maria Nzomo, Chelagat Mutai, Dr.Esther Keino and Ida Odinga were schoolmates in the late 1960s at Moi Girls Eldoret.Their revolutionary ideas thus have their roots in Rift Valley.