Nakuru Woman Representative Chelule Chepkorir Liza (Jubilee) and Baringo County’s Gladwell Jesire Cheruiyot exemplify the impact of women in leadership roles through civic education, infrastructure development, and economic programs. Both officials emphasize their work in advancing gender equality and addressing regional challenges.
Civic Education and Community Engagement ¶
Chelule, founder of the Gender Equity Network, focuses on empowering rural women through civic education and access to Women Enterprise funds. She collaborates with groups like Baraka Sotet Self Help Group in Njoro Sub County, where 50 women produce traditional crafts. Her efforts also include distributing water tanks to schools and households in Rongai, Naivasha, and other areas to mitigate conflicts over water access.
Funding Disparities and Advocacy ¶
Chelule notes that women representatives receive significantly less funding than MPs—Sh40 million versus Sh110 million annually. Despite this, she advocates for the constitutional mandate of the position, citing its role in improving women’s socioeconomic status. She also practices dairy and horticulture farming, encouraging others to adopt similar livelihoods.
Economic and Social Programs in Baringo ¶
Cheruiyot’s initiatives in Baringo include distributing sanitary towels to FGM survivors, establishing beekeeping and poultry programs, and funding vocational training for 70 youths. She has provided 1,000 umbrellas to small business owners and allocated Sh400,000 for disability-friendly toilets across six sub-counties. Her work also involves promoting table banking, with 150 registered groups processing honey and other products.
Health Policy Contributions ¶
As a Committee on Health member, Cheruiyot supports free Hepatitis B vaccination campaigns in Mogotio and other regions. She contributed to the Linda Mama Program, which reduced maternal mortality from 488 to 362 per 100,000 births. Child mortality has dropped over 20%, and contraceptive use among women has surpassed 50%.
Challenges and Future Goals ¶
Both representatives face funding constraints but remain committed to their roles. Cheruiyot advocates for reviving the Kenya Medical Training College project in Kabarnet, emphasizing the Woman Representative position as a gateway to broader political participation for women.
