Hon. Sophia Abdi, nominated MP

April 7, 2008

The just concluded December 27 general elections in Kenya brought to fore underlying issues that for generations have threatened to tear the country apart; a threat to complete social breakdown ringed with spates of violence that rendered over 1000 people dead and more than 350,000 others homeless. Yet many others driven into poverty.

Relating to the post election violence has been increased reported cases of sexual violence in the IDP camps. A report released by Nairobi Women’s Hospital on March 12 details over 400 cases of sexual abuses during post-election violence and up to 443 victims of sexual assault. The report says 149 of the cases involved minors, mainly girls who were sexually molested. It adds that an average of 30 victims sought medical attention at the hospital daily.

While Uncertainty continues to grip the education sector, there are women working as education providers- either as school teachers or providers of baby day care services who are currently living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the country and who are unable to be in their places of work in due time. The number of pupils that will drop out of school as a result of the chaos is sky-rocketing. The educational needs in Kenya remain great and it's expected that many more children will fall through the cracks.

On April 3, 2008 these issues were raised in a television debate organised as a collaborative effort of Kenya Television Network (KTN) and the Gender Governance Programme (GGP) in Kenya that is supported by UNIFEM. The moderator Ms Beatrice Marshal delved into various issues that have periodically affected women and specifically after the December 27 general elections.

The panel of discussants comprised of Ms Naomi Shabaan, Special Programmes Minister, Mr. Joseph Kwaka Executive Director, Community Aid International and Ms Sophia Abdi, nominated Member of Parliament.

The debate discussed questions on the most pressing post election issues from the women’s point of view; these included health, energy, agriculture, the economy and unemployment, and the historical question of affirmative action.

Panelists fielded questions and tackled the most important issues. They were in agreement that with long rains setting in, the plight of the IDPs in camps will exacerbate. Ms Abdi said it was crucial to begin addressing that issue “with the seriousness it deserves”. She added that it was most obvious that men will not be around the camps, “men will stray away and leave women and children to bear the brunt.” The more than 350,000 people living in camps, the discussants observed can not survive on the two weekly rations of food donated by Red Cross. Mr. Kwaka said what begot Kenya after the elections was preventable, “it is absurd that this situation had to come our way.”

They said, even before The Panel of Eminent Persons came to Kenya, women MPs had already set off to preach peace in their various constituencies, they urged that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to be constituted should focus its energies on injustices dating back to the 1992 elections and any other historical injustices prior to 1992.

Ms. Abdi said women living in North Eastern parts of Kenya have been displaced “not once, not twice, but uncountable times. They have managed to make it through deliberate efforts to reconcile with their enemies.” She said. “‘Reconciliation’ to those of us who come from North Eastern is not entirely a new phenomenon.”

Women have spoken about the Kenyan situation to their own sons as their mothers, said Ms Shabaan. “Obviously one would think we have not been doing anything. But do we need to carry the media along with us whenever we go to play these roles?” She posed.

The panelists said that 174 volunteers most of them women from Nairobi’s sprawling slums were trained by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to preach peace in a bid to reconcile the feuding groups in their areas of domicile. “The reason was obvious: they easily get along with the youth and men.” Said Mr. Kwaka.

Kenyan women have taken lead roles in reconciliation, he said, citing the example of Mrs. Ida Odinga, wife to Prime Minister designate, Hon. Raila Odinga. Whom he said had just returned from Kisumu where she had gone to preach reconciliation and deliver donations. He further cited Ms Wangari Mathai, “who has been traversing the country to preach peace without fear.” Women, he said, play a formidable role in the integration process.

The panelists asked the President to name at least twelve women to cabinet. “Out of the 21 women MPs, 12 is not a bad number, infact this should have been included in the National Accord Bill. We also would like to see young, energetic MPs in the cabinet. People who can deliver.” Ms. Abdi said as Mr. Kwaka wished the House had women MPs such as Njoki Ndung’u, “unfortunately she is not there herself.”

Defending 40 as the number of ministers, the Special Programmes minister said, “There must be some regional balance. The situation is quite dicey. 40 is not a wroung number. How else would you balance out and not cause mayhem?” She wondered.

Hon. Sophia Abdi used the opportunity to challenge Kenyan women to play roles such as those played by women in Rwanda, Ireland and Afghanistan when their countries were in turmoil to help the country reclaim its position on global spheres.