Orwoba urges women to support Matiang’i, says he will champion for their rights
By Achieng' Mary, May 3, 2025Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has drummed up support for former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i as he continues to voice out his presidential ambitions.
Addressing a group of women in Kisii, the outspoken senator assured that Matiang’i was the suitable candidate to safeguard women’s rights and counter the increasing violence against women.
“Sisi kama wamama tumesema tunaingia ndani, kama wamama tunatafuta nyumba ambayo tutaishi kwa amani na tnasema hio nyumba kama ni ya Matiang’i pia sisi tuko ndani,”she said amid cheers from the crowd.
Orwoba who has continously championed for the rights and benefits of women, recently lamented being sidelined by the government on matters women’s rights.
She expressed pessimism noting that President William Ruto had failed Kenyan women due to the increasing spate of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) they encounter.
The senator who was speaking during an interview with Spice FM underscored that despite the president allocating Ksh100 million for GBV and fenicide awareness, there is more that still needs to be done.
“There are several women in government who feel let down by our government. Two years in, things can still turn. The President gave Sh100 million to deal with femicide. At that time, we didn’t have a Ministry of Gender. That money was shared amongst leaders to do sensitisation,” Orwoba said.
“We need the courts that deal with GBV to be empowered and to get more magistrates. He can equip them and push for a budget. Additionally, we have gender desks in police stations, which are not functional. I’ve been pushing for them to be moved to hospitals to help speed up the process. He can make that happen from the top,” she added.
The senator went on to state that appointing credible and experienced leaders was one of the key steps to consider to help tackle the issue of violence against women.
She particularly criticized the appointment of Hannah Cheptumo as Gender Cabinet Secretary saying she was not suitable for the role.
“There’s an assumption that the Gender docket doesn’t require any expertise. It has been used as a token, and that is unfortunate. The truth is, she should not have been confirmed. She’s a brilliant lawyer and good in her field, but no!”
“In fact, Aden Duale should have been the Gender CS. Because what you’re telling us is we’re not looking for a subject matter expert.”