INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY SIDE SHOWS THAT THREATENED TO SPOIL THE EVENT
The International Women’s Day celebrations were held on 8th Mar 2020 at Chebosi Boys Secondary School in Bokoli Ward. The event was organised by Bungoma County govt SUPPORTED by the office of the First Lady and Bungoma County MPs (Woman Rep) office just like they’ve been doing over years… But this time round something was amiss… *The County govt FELT overshadowed by mama County’s presence (banners, Tents and later reception)*
Upon mounting of Mama County’s banners at the gate and at the sitting Area, plus extra Tents and seats… The governor’s team discovered that their Branding was NOT visible having made only TWO 1.5 x 1 metre banners then found it wise to ORDER mama county’s team to pull down her promotional items. There was push and pull between the two teams but the governor’s team led by Chenjeni was OUTNUMBERED since the area leadership was on mama county’s side.
PHOTO; CG
Only 4 buses were hired by the govt to ferry wamama from 9 Subcounties to the event… Instead of 9 buses as previously done.
At this point the CEC gender, Everlyne Bunusu thru one Chenjeni called for backup from the Revenue depart (reinforcement officers) … Bokoli residents then joined the otherwise UGLY scenes to WARN the reinforcement officers that they’ll regret touching on mama County, her promotional items and/or staff…. At this point the county govt gave up.
First Lady and Woman rep dancing together with women of Bungoma
⛔️ GOODIES:
?Chief officer GENDER, Mrs Saphia… 20k to Kanduyi Subcounty
?Chief officer in the Governor’s office, Mr Denson Barasa… 10k to Kimilili Subcounty
?Mama COUNTY, Hon Catherine Wambilianga:
▪️5 Tents
▪️500 seats (procured after the county govt refused to get seats for these Tents)
▪️Donated 1,000 Lessos to women
▪️Donated 400 branded t-shirts
▪️Donated Kshs. 100,000/= to Women
?First Lady, Mrs Caro Wangamati
▪️Promised Kshs. 70,000/=, 10k each for the 7 remaining Subcounties
▪️Delivered a beautiful cake for the celebration
⛔️ SPEECHES:
County Execs, MCAs, Hon. Didmus, Hon. Dan Wanyama addressed the women present.
The MCAs who spoke castigated the county govt for reducing the number of buses that ferried women to the event… Hon Millie Masungo who over time has been Governor Wangamati’s person in the Assembly wondered where the county govt took money allocated for the gender department.
Hon Catherine Wambilianga:
Talking points;
1. GBV
2. Early Pregnancy.
3. Girl Child Education
4. Women Empowerment
5. The position of women in the modern world
The First Lady who was the guest of honor vowed to take the lead in championing for women issues in partnership with the Gender Department. She said she is in talks with the EU and other donors to help develop agribusiness and create avenues for empowering women in the county. The First Lady urged members of the public to take advantage of the medical camps organized by her office and encourage others to attend too to help manage our health burden as a county.
The International Women’s Day theme: Generation Equality
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Listening to The First Lady on Sulwe fm she sounded very passionate about this event… She told the world how she had spoken to her husband (The Governor) to assist her put up a memorable event for women… Then the county LETS HER DOWN by only delivering;
▪️ 2 small banners worth less than 4,000
▪️ Hiring of 5 small tents and their respective Seats ONLY for an event that hosts thousands of people
▪️ A cake
? The funds used to ferry and pay allowances to the reinforcement team that was called in to pull down Mama county’s banners would have been of greater importance if it had been pumped into women groups or printing of better banners for that matter.
?The Governor’s office need to PROTECT the first Lady from such EMBARRASSMENTS… Give her enough funds to plan for such events herself if need be and/or allocate enough on the budget
⛔️ FINALLY: At personal level the two GREAT women are NOT fans to such shenanigans… They shared the platform, dances, chats, laughter…
#eDDUHSimiyu
#iKUWEiKUWE
10.03.2020@13:39hours
