You’ve heard it said that any Kenyan above thirty five and with certain attainments is capable and free to run for President of East Africa’s most strategic nation, and no doubt the region’s strongest economy. In the books, and thank God it is so, that’s indeed the case. But in life things never fall neatly in place like water down a predictable line of weak resistance. On the contrary, the laws we place in our books are merely a road-map to what’s possible if goodwill were brought to bear. In that respect, our constitution has paved the way for the eventual realization of a dream. A dream to elect the first female president in Kenya. But will it ever happen? And just how soon?

When you slap a map of the world on the table and start pinpointing the nations that have been brave enough to experiment with the leadership female chief executives, you’ll be stunned by just how few they are. In Africa, we have Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson in Liberia. After years of men running that nation down, spilling blood and plundering the nation’s resources, this Harvard-educated lady took over and brought back sanity into the affairs of government. I’ve watched her at rallies in her devastated nation and seen how the adoring people of Liberia look up to her. I’ve seen children reach out to hold her hand, and I’ve seen her lean in to plant that cherished kiss on a child with dirt on their cheek. It’s just lovely to watch.

In neighbouring Uganda, Strongman Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, had the foresight to bring in East Africa’s first female vice president. You may argue that her powers were only limited, but you can’t argue with the symbolic importance of being the second most powerful person in that landlocked nation. What it did was to shatter a glass ceiling, as Hillary Clinton would say. It made the girls in Uganda realize that a woman could do anything men could do…and do it even better.

We’ve all heard about Britain’s Margaret Thatcher. This iron lady led her nation through the war with Argentina and actually won. Can you see in the eye of your mind Maggie sitting in that meeting, directing her commanders to draw a war plan, to present to her a plan of attack within days? Can you see her addressing the British people, telling them that the nation had to go to war over the Falk Islands? And finally watch as the British war planes drop bombs and subdue the Argentinians…all in the name of Margaret Thatcher. And lest you forget, the neat thing about a war planned by a lady is that care is taken to minimize collateral damage, which is another term for civilians caught up in the crossfire.

Back to Kenya. Are we ready for a woman president? When I look around, only two women at present seem like they could mount credible presidential campaigns. There’s Martha Karua and Charity Ngilu. Are they qualified? Yes, they are. But if we were to seriously assess their chances, what would Kenyans be looking for in order to feel comfortable with female leadership?

Here is what I’d be looking for.

1. Beauty. Hold on, hold on. Before you call me fickle, let me ask you this question. How would you like to watch the face of a woman who is not pretty for the next five years? Personally I’d like to watch on TV a pretty woman. It just makes it a lot easier when a hot mama is the chief executive, especially when she has to persuade the nation to do something drastic like budget cuts or go to war. So is Charity cute? Just look at her, man. She’s cute. How about Martha? Me thinks she’s another cutie. If Phil and Chris don’t think those two are beauties, tell me who is, guys.

2. Grit. What I mean here is toughness. In most traditional societies, men have always been wary of strong women. Women have always been cast as the fairer sex, people who were supposed to smile and look sweet. But you all know that Martha and Charity don’t play that game. Those women are tough. Just think back to the days of the grand bargain that gave us the coalition government. Do you remember how Martha was out there telling off foreign envoys? Do you remember how she took on Orengo and Ruto and all the big boys? How about Charity? Weren’t you impressed when she took on the Kalonzo wave in Ukambani and won? How about that day at the airport when she caught the VP trying to catch a government plane for a non official event? Didn’t you like it when she called him up on it and forced him to issue a statement? Yes, those two women are tough and ready to lead.

3. Sober and Pragmatic. Can a woman be tough and sober at the same time? Of course a woman can. I take it you’ve been impressed by the juggling act in Liberia, where Madam Sirleaf has synchronously shown her tough side by taking on male-dominated institutions and making them work for Liberia and at the same time presenting a softer, sweeter side to her burdened people. Okay, has Martha ever shown a sweeter side? Sure, haven’t you seen her smile? Haven’t you caught her dancing with the folks, her eyes sparkling with childlike joy? And lately haven’t you seen her try to get into alliances that are in sync with her presidential aspirations? How about Charity? What I’ve seen in her is a calculating, sober assessor of situations. I saw her walk out of Afya House on her terms. Saw her join the ODM Pentagon on her terms. And now she’s running her ministry with pragmatism and efficiency. So again, can these two women lead?

4. Communication. One of the areas where our leaders have fallen short is in communicating their policies and intentions to the people. President Kenyatta was a master of intrigue. He never let Kenyans know what he was up to. In fact, even when he died we couldn’t be told straight out that the president was dead. Moi was no better. To know what was on Moi’s mind, Kenyans had to listen to the pronouncements of people like Shariff Nassir, Mulu Mutisya and Kariuki Chotara. What a way to communicate! Now there’s Kibaki. Who the hell speaks for this President? Is it the perpetually hilarious Dr. Mutua or the super-secretive and assertive Muthaura? Whoever it is, they have done a lousy job. Now, has Martha communicated her intentions to the folks? Here is what she has said. I’m running for president in 2012. How clearer can a girl be? Charity has been equally succinct. Watch her as she talks to her teary-eyed staff on her last day at Afya. I will be back! again, how clearer can a girl be?

5. Faith. A president who doesn’t pray for his nation and for wisdom from God has no business leading a nation. It’s always nice watch a president pray. I liked it when Kenyatta was in a house of worship. I was moved whenever I saw Moi with a hymn book in hand, singing praises to the Lord. And I set my disagreements with Kibaki aside whenever he is before the throne of grace. Prayer is power. So do the two women I’ve been talking about pray? Yes, they do. But just imagine what it would mean for Kenyans to watch on Sunday TV as the president, a sweet motherly figure, kneels down in plea with God to bless Kenya. Don’t you long to see that day come?

I do.

But 2012 is years away. We have a chance to evaluate all our presidential candidates. I’d love to see Martha Karua give the boys a run for their money, become Kenya’s first female president. I’d love to see Charity Ngilu go all out to capture the presidency of Kenya and help us make positive history. That said, Kenyans are not going to elect somebody just because we yearn for female leadership. We are going to elect the best candidate out there.

Ladies, make 2012 your time to shine. If you don’t become president, you’ll have paved the way for the brave Kenyan girls who will come after you.

For Love of Country,

Sam Okello

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Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:44:14 -0700
From: samokello@ . . .
Subject: Is Kenya Ready for A Woman President?