Former Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa has urged coastal women to fear less and dive into the political arena so that they fight for elective positions.
Jumwa, stated that some women have distanced themselves with politics—fearing their male counterparts—with Jumwa stating that such is a retrogressive move by the Coast women.
Speaking recently at the Tononoka social hall in Mombasa after she graced an empowerment forum targeting Mombasa women groups that was organised by Nominated senator Miraj Abdilah, Jumwa said that there is no much time for women to “dangle a carrot” but venture into politics and battle their male opponents.
The former Public Service Cabinet Secretary reiterated that women have been leading from grassroots for years and they should now set their foot into the political scene and make a difference.
Enemy within
“Some women here and instilling fear into their colleagues telling them that they will be stripped naked by their male counterparts during heated political campaigns. That is not true, we have been fighting for our space in the political arena and we succeeded,” noted Jumwa.
Jumwa who now chairs the Kenya Roads Board as a non-Executive Chairperson says the political arena is not reserved for any special class of people but is for all.
“As women we should uplift each other so that we sail into leadership. Those already in power should nurture those aspiring to take political leadership from the very grassroots level to the top elective positions. Stop discouraging each other,” she added.
Jumwa who has remained controversial after facing off with the “tough and fierce” in the Coast political scene was the first Kilifi county Woman representative, back in 2013.
She later fought for the Malindi parliamentary seat which she won and floored other male opponents in the fierce battle in 2017.
In 2022, Jumwa battled the now Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro in the Kilifi gubernatorial race.
The fearless politician has since issued all signs that she will once again set foot in the Kilifi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 general election.
