- The study sought to establish the likelihood of women holding Deputy President, Speaker of the Senate, Speaker of the National Assembly, head of the army and resident positions in 10 years
- Having a woman as Head of the Army and President was considered extremely unlikely
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
A survey has named Narc Kenya boss Martha Karua and governors Anne Waiguru and Charity Ngilu as the most potential women running mates in August 9 presidential election.
The study by TIFA Research further said Kenyans see a strong possibility of a woman becoming deputy president or speaker of the National Assembly or Senate in the next 10 years.
“Kenyans are optimistic about the prospects of a woman holding the position of deputy president or speaker,” the survey released on Monday at a Nairobi hotel suggested.
The study sought to establish the likelihood of women holding leadership positions (deputy president, speakers of the Senate and the National Assembly, head of the army and President) in 10 years
Having a woman as head of the army and President was considered extremely unlikely by almost half the respondents.
The survey pointed out that although the highest agreement is in a female deputy president, none of the prominent presidential candidates have ever had a woman running mate.
It said three prominent women have run for presidency -Wangari Maathai (1997), Ngilu (1997) and Karua (2013) but were unsuccessful.
“This could be the reason why less than half of Kenyans consider a possibility of a woman leading the country,” the study said.
Asked specifically about a running mate from Mt Kenya, the mentions of females increases for William Ruto (19 per cent to 41 per cent) and Raila (19 per cent to 32 per cent).
“For both Ruto and Raila, there are higher recommendations for female running mates from Mt Kenya, especially amongst women respondents,” the report reads.
It said over half the samples in the Coast, Northern and Nyanza mention recommend a female running mate from Mt Kenya.
The survey said 27 per cent of respondents want Ruto to pick ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi as running mate, Waiguru (15 per cent), Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua (11 per cent), and Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka (8 per cent).
It further said 41 per cent of respondents want Raila to pick former Gatanga MP as running mate, Kalonzo (18 per cent), Karua 13 (per cent) and Ngilu (5 per cent).
The study was conducted between February 3-9, 2022 in Central Rift, Coast, Lower Eastern, Mt Kenya, Nairobi, Northern, Nyanza, South Rift and Western.
Telephonic interviews conducted in Kiswahili (mainly) and English. The sample size was 1,541 with +/- 2.49 margin error.
TIFA funded the survey.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)