Ms Manoti: Women And Political Space; Doing It Differently

BY ERIC ABUGA

Ruth Manoti is among the leaders who had the prospects to thrive in Kisii politics.

She left the newsroom in 2013 and actively became a human rights defender and a gender champion in the community through her Seeds of Hope organization.

“I was in a political party nomination list in 2023, in the list that looked almost certain. But I never saw the light of day. I didn’t have “enough money. It was a painful wake-up call that pushed me toward growth.”

She says it’s never easy for women to navigate any competitive spaces in politics, business, or any arena where decisions are made.

“The barriers are real, the rules are often unspoken, and the price of entry can be far higher than it should be. Life has taken me on a different path.”

Ms Ruth Manoti-Sustainable Development Ambassador

Ms Manoti says she has been reflecting and revisiting old lists and vision boards. Hers is a diary of the goals she had for my community then.

“I’m reminded that when one door closes, another opens. You learn, grow, repackage, and show up stronger. We need to build ourselves more psychologically. Others lost their self-esteem and have huge debts. Politics is all about risks. I was almost sure of the nomination, but that is how life is."

A Sustainable Development Ambassador, Ms Manoti has a unique of the current political situation in the Country.  

“The Country’s top leadership may be lacking any serious opposition or now, and 2027 is getting closer. We might have to brace ourselves for another five years.”

She says Raila Odinga never ran to a foreign country or any diaspora hub in any season in his political career to look for votes or resources.

“William Ruto didn’t either. Not even former President Uhuru Kenyatta. They built their campaigns with resources and focus rooted at home, where the actual votes are.”

She argues; “Truth is, Diaspora votes can’t swing a national election, and the money there won’t fund a Kenyan campaign. In Kenya, being seen in diaspora makes you look like a ‘global leader.’ The truth is, all politics is local. It starts and ends at local where leadership should be built.”

On the GenZ protests, she argues that many times, it is not those in power, but by figures not in government who want to make a point and hide under the crowd.

“You think you’re protesting with them, but the very person derailing your cause is who you think is your ally. These tears of young people aren’t just about pain; they’re about dreams interrupted, dignity bruised and possible future shaken.”

Even as the youths take to the streets, she says that they should not hand the system a free excuse to twist the narrative.

“Protesting is not robbery. Speaking out is not a crime. Kenya must do better. What do you want to do differently as a Kenyan next time you choose to go to the streets?”

She queries the approach applied by those among agitating for change. “The problem has never just been faces, it’s the approach. If we really want change, we must tackle issues differently. We need to face the truth, facing the real problems head-on, and rethinking how we fix things.”