There is no constituency in Bungoma County with an iron lady aspirant like Webuye East. Here we have Ms Carol Buyela, a widow and mother of three.
The former Bungoma County Director of Special Programmes has been on the ground for the past four years walking the path of life with her constituents.
Apart from beating all odds including cultural stereotypes of having a woman leader, she has made her political space from scratch. She believes in the fourth liberation and the reason she is in Azimio coalition.
Buyela, who enjoys the support of both Bukusu and Tachoni in the area, was literally the pioneer brand ambassador of the then newly-launched Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) where she would later be humiliated in her own backyard at Muliro Gardens in Webuye by being denied an opportunity to address her people during an Azimio rally.
Without protesting, Buyela silently moved to Jubilee Party which is under the umbrella of Azimio La Umoja and got her nomination certificate to fly the Jubilee flag in Webuye East.
Her rising star has apparently not impressed the top leadership of DAP-K. Word in the street is that CS Eugene Wamalwa has a skewed process of “zoning” Bungoma under Azimio. It’s said that Mr. Wamalwa is only allowing Sirisia MP John Waluke to defend his seat on Jubilee ticket and ensure all other candidates in Azimio la Umoja step down for DAP-K candidates in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia Counties.
For example, In Webuye East, survey polls have projected that it’s a two-horse race between Ndivisi ward MCA, Mr. Martin Pepela Wanyonyi aka “Investor” of Ford Kenya and Ms. Carolyne Buyela. One Dr. Iyaya has always come distant third in all opinion polls despite being given a direct ticket by DAP-K.
In Webuye East Parliamentary race in Bungoma County, Jubilee's Caro Buyela (Azimio) and Ford Kenya's Martin Nyongesa (KK) are the front runners. @DAP_Kenya's Dr. Iyaya Wanjala comes third but the Azimio zoning shamefully wants Buyela to step down for a struggling Iyaya. Really? pic.twitter.com/KmSmlDQGOv
— Kenya Highlights (@Highlights_Ke) May 12, 2022
If the zoning was the way to go, then Caro Buyela is the best bet to face off with Martin Wanyonyi of Kenya Kwanza coalition. In the event Caroline Buyela is short-changed, then the the protest votes will definitely trickle to Kenya Kwanza to teach Mr. Wamalwa and his DAP-K a lesson.
Let’s not forget that Iyayas ratings shot downwards after the Muliro gardens ordeal where men expressed their cowardice by disallowing Caroline Buyela to address her people in her home town.
In as much as it’s good to have a political mentor and godfather, what becomes of those that rise independently by their own efforts and blessings from God? Should they dim their stars just because a political big wig hasn’t endorsed them? What happened to the era where women seeking leadership positions should be supported adequately?
In conclusion, how do we attain the gender rule if we zone out potential women such as Caroline Buyela? Someone owes us an explanation.