By Lemi Matau
As the stakeholders in leadership and governance continue to debate on the constitution, a third gender rule, The Mashariki News, writer Lemi Matau visited a deep village in Mikinduri area of Tigania region in Meru County and talked to a female assistant chief. It is clear that Women of Kenya have taken administrative positions and that shows that the affirmative action is on course, and in this space Chief Marcela Kainda takes ten from ‘Mashariki News’
1Q. How do you do Chief Marcela!
How do you do Lemi! Correction; sub-chief not Chief.
2Q. what’s in a name if rose by any name smells just the same?
A: At school, I used to love Shakespeare poetry.
Q What’s your jurisdiction?
A: Anjilu Sub-location Mikinduri Location, Tigania Central Sub-county, Meru County, Kenya, Africa.
3Q. Tell me, do you Sub-Chief your husband?
- Who else does it. Answer me. If he comes to my office to fill the birth certificate forms for our children, I would ask him, fathers name? Mothers name? It’s the law, not I, you see.
4Q. At home?
A: What happens at home, leave it at home? Ok!
5Q. How do those Anjilu men take you as their person in command?
A; It’s not the men as much as the women. Men are quick to understand the law but women will ‘say she is a woman just like me’ Besides Illicit brews are all the rage and it women who mostly brew. Women are their own enemies, not all of them but say and one or two. I love my women folks.
6Q. How is running a Sub-Location different from running a home?
A: Not much difference. In both places people are involved. Conflicts of interest arise, recourses are required and wisdom is paramount.
8Q. Example.
A.There was the first Madaraka day to be celebrated at Mikinduri. The madam DCC was to be there and Hon. Kabeabea and his wife had just assumed MP’s office. Coming to the venue I discovered that the classroom tables and chairs placed on the VIP tent were just lousy. So I had to find decent furniture, some flowers. Wasn’t that more like housekeeping?
9Q. Mothering?
A.I am a mother to all. From the gifted to the challenged and every soul in between; or aren’t we Christian believers?
- What message would you pass to your kinsmen?
A: Greater than me by far, there are many men and women in high places in Nairobi or elsewhere who forget to visit the village to mentor the boys and girls. I say to them, please, come your baby brothers and little sister need you as models to learn from.
“Good by chief”
“Not Chief. Chief of Mikinduri location is one Simba ……………, Good bye Lemi’
