Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-14 17:51:36
A recent opinion poll conducted in Kenya has revealed that the country’s women representatives have been given low performance ratings by the public. The survey, carried out by Infotrak Research and Consulting, found that the highest-performing woman representative only received a performance rating of 50 percent. Two specific women representatives, Cecilia Ngitit of Turkana and Jane Maina of Kirinyaga, were identified as the top performers in the poll with the same 50 percent rating.
The survey revealed that the majority of women representatives received below-average ratings, indicating public dissatisfaction with their performance. Homa Bay’s Joyce Bensuda Osogo and Tharaka Nithi’s Susan Nduyo were tied for third place with a performance rating of 49 percent, while West Pokot’s Rael Chepkemoi was fifth with a rating of 48 percent. The survey highlighted the fact that county MPs are elected to advocate for women and girls by introducing favorable legislation. To support this mandate, they are allocated funds through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund.
The low approval rating of women representatives has raised concerns about the perception that they are only elected to achieve a gender balance in the National Assembly, rather than working to advance the interests of women and girls. This perception is evident in the low ratings received by second and third-term women reps, including Kakamega County’s Elsie Muhanda, who received a rating of 47 percent. The survey indicates a general disapproval of the performance of women representatives, as it shows that even the tenth-ranked representatives received a rating of only 46 percent.
Furthermore, the survey revealed that women representatives received the lowest overall rating in comparison to governors, Members of County Assembly (MCAs), and senators. The downward trend in the ratings of women representatives is evident from the fact that the top-ranked woman representative in 2015, who is now serving as a governor, scored 68 percent, and the top-ranked representative in 2020 scored 62 percent.
The CountyTrak Performance Index, conducted between July and September 2023, covered all 47 counties and ranked 25 top-performing women representatives. Some of the county MPs who made it to the list included Caroline Ng’elechei of Elgeyo Marakwet, Dorice Aburi of Kisii, and Pauline Lenguris of Samburu, who were tied for 11th place with a rating of 45 percent. Lillian Siyoi of Trans Nzoia, Joyce Kamene, Gladys Shollei, and Beatrice Chepng’eno of Kericho were placed 14th with an approval rating of 44 percent.
The opinion poll provides valuable insights into the public perception of women representatives in Kenya, indicating the need for greater accountability and improved performance in addressing the needs of women and girls.
Read the original article on Daily Nation
