‘Jeshi La Baba’: Azimio La Umoja Unveils Women Movement

ODM leader and August presidential hopeful Raila Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja camp has launched the Azimio Women Movement.

Pegged on the slogan ‘Jeshi la Baba ni akina mama’, the movement was unveiled at a Nairobi hotel on Thursday and seeks to recruit 27.5 million women across the country.

During the event attended by leaders among them Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu and ex-CS and Nyandarua gubernatorial hopeful Sicily Kariuki, the movement said it’s main agenda will be defending the interests of women as it seeks votes for the overall Azimio La Umoja campaign camp.

“​​(We) will seek to have the voice of mothers in a village in Nyeri County who is struggling to raise her children as a single mother heard, and the place of a widow in Mandera burdened with the responsibility of feeding her children recognized,” said the female leaders.

They also noted that they shall be championing good healthcare under Odinga’s administration, as well as a social protection program and financial support for women-owned enterprises.

“Our women walk scores of kilometers for hours each day, time that would be better spent on other family and nation-building activities, searching for water. 

“Maji Kwa Kila Boma with all its attendant benefits is the solution that a Raila Odinga presidency will implement.” 

While hailing Odinga as a ‘people’s project’, the new movement vowed to be his scouts in popularizing his presidential bid.

“Sisi tutakuwa wanajeshi wa baba mtaani, vijijini na madukani tukieneza sera za muungano wa azimio la umoja, kutafuta, kutoa na kulinda kura za baba,” they added.

The group further called on the government to ensure that security during the electioneering period is guaranteed for not just voters but also female leaders seeking elective posts.

“​​We are calling upon the Inspector General of police to ensure that our women leaders, our mothers seeking elective positions, be either that or a governor, senator, women representative, or a member of the county assembly protected against political violence and intimidation.”