The race for Homa Bay county gubernatorial seat gained momentum after a section of elders endorsed area Woman Representative Gladys Wanga to vie for the position.
The elders from Kochia ward in Rangwe constituency under the umbrella of Luo Council of Elders, settled on Wanga as their preferred candidate in the male-dominated contest, which has attracted at least nine aspirants.
The endorsement was done in an event that was witnessed by hundreds Homa Bay residents comprising more than 30 MCAs, professionals, the business community and farmers at Ligisa Secondary school.
The legislator was handed with traditional weapons indicating preparedness to run for the highly coveted gubernatorial race.
While officiating the exercise, Kochia branch Luo Council of Elders chairman Odul Kabaraka argued that they believed women had the potential to run for elective seats in the forthcoming General elections.
Kabaraka said time had come for women to be given equal chances to go for elective positions against their male counterparts.
He said the elders were concerned about male chauvinism that had hindered many women from ascending to elective political offices especially in Nyanza region.
“We want our people to shun fallacy that women cannot lead in elective posts. What we have done here is a step towards fighting male chauvinism in leadership within the society,” Kabaraka said.
The elders backed Wanga to run for the seat, saying she had what takes to lead the county as a governor.
“Our assessment established that Wanga has the requisite credentials to lead this county as a governor. Elders see things through vision and therefore we have offered this county the best candidate,” Kabaraka added.
Speaking after her endorsement, Wanga promised to boost healthcare and fight corruption if she is elected governor in next year’s polls.
On health matters, she said administration will equip health facilities with drugs to cushion residents from buying drugs in private chemists.
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