The edge of Kenya

We were invited by an organization to participate in their civic education workshop in for marginalized women in a town about 300 km North of Nairobi. The ride out was a beautiful one. We pass through lush green mountains and rolling hills. At the end of the tarmac road, we reached the town of Isiolo. The tarmac road signifies a boundary between those who have and those who have not. Beyond this town, people live without much of the basic necessities – like water. One woman came with all her clothes because she could wash her clothes early each morning before the workshop began. Water shortage is a common problem for her family where they need to buy a 20 liters bucket for about 100 shillings. (Day laborers earn approximately 70 shillings per day.) This water has to be used by her family to cook, bathe, wash and clean. People living in the Northern Kenya often joke with people from other parts of Kenya by asking them “How is Kenya?” when they visit.
The women who attended this workshop are leaders in their communities. They want changes that would make life less harsh for themselves and their communities. This is a hard task because still women in these communities have to vote according to what their husbands dictate. They shared stories about corruption and tribalism that lead to elections of people who quickly abandon their constituents by relocating to nice homes in Nairobi. An encouraging note in the meeting was that some women in this group will run in the local elections. I hope that they will achieve their goals. Regardless of winning or losing in this year’s election, these women are opening the door a bit wider to allow other women to follow. They have my admiration.

Giang