Emma Mbura, Esther Kondo defy odds to run for MP seat

Nominated Senator Emma Mbura (left) and Ms Esther Kondo. They are both vying for the Rabai parliamentary post. PHOTO | KAZUNGU SAMUEL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Ms Mbura was nominated to the Senate in 2013 by TNA to represent Mombasa County.
  • Ms Kondo says she joined the race to help address matters concerning development and peace.

It will be history in the making in Kilifi County if one of the two women running for a constituency seat is elected in next month’s General Election.

Nominated Senator Emma Mbura and Esther Kondo, the Labour Party of Kenya’s deputy leader, are among five candidates fighting it out for the Rabai parliamentary seat - and the race is heated.

For years, women have been on the fringes of politics as men battled for political seats.

CULTURE

In the August 8 elections however, the two women also join the county's Woman Rep Aisha Jumwa, who is contesting for the Malindi constituency seat.

Going for any political position was predominantly the preserve of men, because of retrogressive cultures that undermined women.

Ms Mbura and Ms Kondo will compete against incumbent William Kamoti of ODM, Mr Kenga Mupe (Jubilee Party), and Mr Ricky Kambi (Kadu Asili).

DECAMPS
Senator Mbura and Ms Kondo are aggressive and assertive, thus expected to share the huge chunk of votes in a county where no woman has ever been elected MP.

Ms Mbura - an outspoken politician who does not mince her words - was nominated to the Senate in 2013 by the The National Alliance (TNA) to represent Mombasa County.

However, in the lead up to Jubilee Party’s primaries, the senator defected to Maendeleo Chap Chap.

FUNDS
In separate interviews with the nation, Ms Mbura and Ms Kondo, who were both born in Rabai, promise the electorate better representation, accusing Mr Kamoti of failing to utilise the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) kitty well to benefit the residents.

"In as far as the rate of underdevelopment is concerned in Rabai, it is clear that a woman is the only redeemer at the moment and that is me," Ms Mbura says.

She says that having served as a nominated senator for Mombasa, it is time to return home and serve her people.

"I was born in Rabai but relocated to Mombasa in search of opportunities and whenever in Mombasa, my mind and thoughts were with the people of Rabai.

"This is where I belong. I am seeking this seat to empower the electorate and improve their living standards," the lawmaker explains.

EMPLOYMENT
Ms Mbura says youth unemployment is a "real" issue in Rabai, with farming and other income generating activities doing poorly.

"It is unfortunate that with all the millions that the constituency receives for development, very little can be seen; with women and youths languishing in poverty. I will change this scenario if elected," she says.

Education being one of the agenda in her manifesto, she said she will improve the sector by launching Mekatilili University.

"Rabai is the cradle of modern education in Kenya but almost 85 per cent of the locals have no education.

BURSARIES

"This has been caused by failure from respective leaders who served from the then larger Kaloleni constituency before it was split.

"I will make sure that a big chunk of the NGCDF kitty goes towards education, with bursaries and scholarships to major in allocations.

"I will also make sure that the Mekatilili University, which we have already allocated land in Mariakani, is built," Ms Mbura says.

AGRICULTURE

On her part, Ms Kondo says she joined the race to help address matters concerning development and peace.

"The Rabai constituency battle is not about politicians and their supremacy.

"It is about a leader [who is] out to bring change and [meet the] expectations of the people.

"Having worked tirelessly with the residents of Rabai, I have come face to face with [the] challenges [they face].

"Lack of jobs, outdated farming methods and long time traditions locking out women from participating in programmes to sustain their lives," she says.

CHALLENGE
Ms Kondo promised to make sure that the CDF kitty positively transforms the lives of the locals, promising to embrace a participatory approach.

"I know that the battle is challenging, but I have the support in all the four wards and my opponents should be ready for battle of their lives," she says.