MPs to Maa women: Shun retrogressive culture to empower the girl child

Parliamentary women caucus has advised Maasai women to shun retrogressive cultural practices that hinder girls from attaining high levels of education to become professionals.

The 12 lawmakers spoke at Suswa Girls’ Secondary School during a forum dubbed ‘Wezesha mama, Inua Jamii’, which was hosted by Narok woman representative Rebecca Tonkei and attended by thousands of women across the county.

The women MPs, led by their chairperson, Faith Gitau (Nyandarua), pleaded with women in Narok to shun Female Genital Mutilation, early marriages, and teenage pregnancy that deter girls from completing school.

“This county is blessed because you have a role model, Cabinet Secretary for Defence Soipan Tuya, who was born and raised up in this county," Gitau said.

"She beat all odds until she became a polished lawyer and now a cabinet secretary."

Murang’a woman representative Betty Maina said though they are struggling to live a decent life, women should protect their children from all social harm that hinders them from achieving their dreams.

She recalled how she was raised in a humble background where they struggled for basic needs like food, clothes, and education, yet she remained focused until she achieved her dreams.

“I was not brought up in a rich family, my parents struggled to make ends meet, but they protected me from all forms of harm.

"Now I have gone back to build them a house and improved their living standards,” she said.

Ann Muratha (Kiambu) challenged women to be responsible for their families by ensuring their children attended school to have a bright future.

Muratha told single women and widows not to bury their heads under the sand because of their status but to wake up and work for the good of their families.

“Despite your condition, take your children to school and pay the little that you can, the rest do not mind because God will come in various forms like bursaries or well-wishers,” she said.

For the married women, she asked them to play their marital role properly to have stable and progressive families.

Cynthia Muge (Nandi) said FGM was common in the old days, but due to civilisation, people have embraced education, which is more rewarding.

“The world is changing; hence there are some retrogressive cultures that we have to abandon in the modern days. I challenge women to champion for the education of their girls,” she said.

Others present were Narok Governor’s wife Agnes Ntutu, Leah Sankaire (Kajiado), Umulkheri Kassim (Mandera), Naomi Waqo (Marsabit), Beatrice Adagala (Vihiga), Pauline Lenguris (Samburu), Liza Chelule (Nakuru), and Beatrice Kemei (Kericho).

During the event, Tonkei issued Sh7.744 million in bursaries to vulnerable children and donated ten tanks each of 5, 000 litres and five tents with a capacity to hold 100 people each to the women groups.

The women leaders called on the residents to support and pray for President William Ruto as he develops the nation.

The team focuses on women's empowerment, inclusivity, and unity.

This is in line with the Kenya Kwanza administration's agenda of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).