Female legislators nominated for parliamentary and county assembly positions have been urged to consider transitioning into elective roles in the next General Elections.
Gilgil MP Martha Wangari emphasised that the nominated positions should serve as a stepping stone for these lawmakers to pursue elective offices in 2027.
"If you are nominated, you should work hard in the House and also on the ground. Offer yourself for elective positions," she advised.
Wangari spoke on Thursday during a meeting convened by the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA).
She said going for an elective seat would provide a platform to advocate for issues aligned with their agendas.
"It does not matter which position you vie for. You will be in a better position to champion matters affecting your agenda when you are in an elective post," she explained highlighting the significance of holding an elective office.
The meeting, organized by KEWOPA focused on developing a unified stance to present to the Multi-Sectoral Working Group on the Two-Thirds Gender Principle.
The 2010 Kenyan constitution provides for 12 members to be nominated by the political parties to represent women, youth, people with disabilities, and workers.
In the National Assembly, UDA has five nominated Members of the National Assembly; Bishop Jackson Kosgei, Teresia Mwangi, Abdisirat Khalif Ali, Dorothy Ikiara and Joseph Iraya.
ODM has former Suba South MP John Mbadi, former Nominated Nyamira MCA Irene Mayaka and Umulkher Harun Mohammed.
Former Murang'a Woman Rep Sabina Chege is the sole nominated MP for Jubilee Party while Joseph Hamisi Denar got the ANC slot. Suleka Hulbale Harun got a slot for UDM.
UDA got the majority slots for nomination seats to the Senate.
They are UDA Secretary General Veronica Maina, former Narok Woman Rep Soipan Tuya, former Bomet Woman Rep Joyce Korir, former Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko, Governance Expert Gloria Orwoba, city politician Karen Nyamu, Miraj Abdullahi Abdirahman and Maureen Mutinda.
ODM got five nomination slots to the Senate which include; ODM Election Board Chairperson Catherine Mumma, ODM Women League President Beth Syengo, Beatrice Oyomo, Hamida Kibwana and Betty Montet.
Margaret Kamar is the Jubilee Party nominated Senator, while former Lamu Woman Rep Shakila Abdalla is the Wiper Democratic Movement Senator and Mariam Sheikh Omar is for UDM.
Hezina Lemaletian of the ODM Party and Raphael Mwinzagu of the UDA Party were nominated to the Senate to represent the Youth.
Crystal Asige (ODM) and George Mbugua (UDA) were nominated to represent Persons with disabilities in the Senate.
