This article by Amakove Wala is important for female political aspirants. For Amakove, female aspirants should wear jeans trousers with sports shoes and tshirt. They must also have pampers and sanitary pads. Here is the article from Amakove.
“Reminiscing on the Linda Mwananchi rallies this past weekend, as a female aspirant. So far, I have attended the following rallies: Mombasa, Nakuru, Vihiga, Kisumu, Machakos, Thika, Trans Nzoia and Bungoma.
I remember the Tononoka rally, I came dressed in a light flowing long sleeved dress ati to blend with the coastal culture. Dr Brian took one look at me at the hotel where we were congregating from and told me, “Doc, go to the bathroom and change into jeans, tee shirts and sports shoes!” Luckily, I had carried a change of clothes. I was naive about political rallies. I mean, there should be order. Women should be treated with dignity. Everyone gets a stab at the mic…right? WRONG! Political rallies are about survival for the fittest. They are no respector of gender, age, ability. Especially for new aspirants. No one sits you down and tells you this is what and how you should survive. This weekend, I witnessed newcomer female aspirants and I truly felt for them. Perhaps, I should offer a pre-boarding tutorial for them. You will be roughed up. You will be lifted by strong men (I am yet to meet female security bouncers at the rally). No one will keep a seat for you at the dias. You will climb on top of smouldering hot vehicles to get a good picture shot. You will be given a mic (if you are lucky) for a record 5 seconds and you are to give your elevator pitch in those seconds. You will feel like crying (I saw a lady dangling tears after finding herself hoisted oj to the dias, arriving dusty and dishevelled). You will inhale second hand weed smoke. Your vehicle (if you managed to afford one) should at all times stay with the convoy for security purposes. Being accosted by crowds is so common. Keep your fluid intake to a minimum. There.are.no.toilets.as.you.speed.down.in.the.convoy!
Make friends with security teams from other aspirants. They come in handy when you need help
I have been hoisted on that dias by security teams of other politicians because they now know me.
And fight. Like fight (not physically) for your space. Be confident about yourself. You show a moment of weakness, you get shoved off the dias or your seat. No one has time for tears or pity party.
If you are without security, keep tab on other security team members. They will signal their bosses when they need to leave the dias. Things happen sometimes to those left behind. Bad things. Rotten apples take advantage. So give up that opportunity to be seen with the mic, if you see the situation escalating, leave.
Adjust yourself to circumstances. Befriend another aspirant who has space in their vehicle with a sunroof. Most are friendly. And if you have space in yours, be kind to other aspirants.
Above all, enjoy the ride. Like literally. It has another adrenaline kick, if you enjoy such. Until we reach that stage when we command our own security, presence and space…my sister, fight for your space. Nobody will invite you to the table”
