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for June 14, 2000 -- Talking Politics
Back in Nairobi for the final three days, the first of which was focussed on contemporary politics. In the morning we met with the staff of the Education Centre for Women in Democracy, a donor-funded local NGO working to improve women's position in politics. They described their ongoing programs of educating women on how to run political campaigns, training paralegals to assist local people in dealing with the government and police, and conflict resolution. It was a very impressive and educational session.
Meeting with the Education Centre for Women in Democracy
Later that afternoon we met with two opposition members of parliament. First was Charity Ngilu, MP, who was also (in the last elections of 1997) the first women to run as a serious contender for the presidency. Again, the discussion focussed mainly on the role of women in Kenyan politics. Later came Prof. Peter Anyang’Nyong’o, MP, a former university lecturer who was forced into political exile in the 1980s. Upon his return to Kenya with the political opening of 1992, he was elected to parliament on an opposition ticket, where he continues to serve. His articulate voice for change, both as a politician and writer, earned him membership in the so-called "young turks", a group of young reformers who are working for further democratization. The day ended with a delicious Ethiopian dinner at a nearby restaurant, complete with Ethiopian music and dancing. Of course, Saadiah, our resident dancer, had to get into the act.
