For a year that began with great promise for diva power, the diminishing presence of women in the run-up to this year’s elections is a disturbing reminder of the uphill task women face in making their presence felt on Kenya's political scene.

Earlier in the year, women candidates coalesced around Charity Ngilu and other bigwigs to root for their increased representation at the civic and parliamentary levels. This was soon followed by the much hyped affirmative action bill which sought to create special seats for women. But like a house of cards, all these initiatives crumbled or faded in enthusiasm.

Still, the galaxy of women angling for civic and parliamentary seats calls for a close watch. As in previous elections, this year's polls represent tremendous opportunity and possibility to increase women's representation beyond the numbers of the last parliament.

The fact that the ninth parliament with a total of 18 MPs – nine elected and nine nominated – represented the highest number of women representatives since independence is in itself a disturbing account on how far women’s empowerment has lagged behind and the long distance that must be covered.

Even though the road map is contested, there is growing unanimity that affirmative action is needed to empower women play a more definitive role in Kenya's political and economic dispensation besides increasing their presence and influence in decision-making.

Kenya pales in comparison to other countries in the region regarding enhancing women’s representation. Compared to our total of 18 women MPs in the last parliament, Tanzania has 61 MPs, Uganda 75 while Rwanda has almost secured a 50-50 parity representation.

Increased women representation does not necessarily translate into better profiling of women issues but it motivates better informed and more energized attention. While gender issues should be a concern of all, women leaders are better placed to champion their issues and pro actively influence the policy and legislative agenda.

Women parliamentarians in the ninth parliament for instance established the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) to help profile women’s issues and enhance their influence in lobbying parliamentarians on issues affecting women.

The focus on women's empowerment must however go beyond increasing women’s representation at the parliamentary and civic authority levels. The commitment to reserve a minimum 30 percent of all recruitments, appointments and promotions in the public service for women can yield positive gains in ventilating women's rights as would, advancing equal or increased women representation on the management of Constituency Development Fund committees and other similar initiatives.

On their part, political parties and politicians must go beyond paying obeisance to women's empowerment in conversation only and tokenism in favor of bold and cognizable measures.

These two parties share collective blame for the defeat of the affirmative action bill and women’s poor showing in the recent party nominations which indicates limited appreciation for affirmative action if not a clear lack of commitment on their part.

A tired question that is bound to be asked this time round is why women fail to speak with their vote to shore up their numbers. Because women account for the majority of registered voters, it has been charged that they are their own worst enemies.
The irony is that men have exploited their elaborate grassroots networks and organization which begs the question why the same cannot work in favour of more women contestants.

Of course, there are no straight answers to these vexed questions. Cultural beliefs which challenge women’s leadership and the spectre of electoral violence are among factors which discourage women from offering themselves for election. Attention to these factors could help augment women’s leadership in terms of increasing their numerical presence on the ballot.

However, numbers alone cannot make a difference. The quality of women’s representation must come into tow. It is the ability to offer a credible alternative that will win women votes. Gender can only be a persuasive but not compelling motivation for voters.

Instances abound where women have opted to vote for men because women contestants did not measure up in their estimation. Indeed, even with their marginally impressive representation in the ninth parliament, there wasn't much to write home about the contribution of some individual women parliamentarians in selling the women’s agenda.

It is imperative to ensure greater participation of women in Kenya’s political dispensation besides addressing impediments to their social and economic development. As was recently observed by Dr Julia Ojiambo, “more women in parliament brings in the sense of equitable sharing of resources. You can’t have a country where only half of the population preside over resources and make decisions that affect all”.

The writer is the Editorial Manager with the Media Focus on Africa Foundation.