First Lady Margaret Kenyatta CHARMS MPs wives at SPOUSES meeting

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta went on a charm offensive during the two-day meeting of spouses of members of parliament in Nairobi which ended yesterday.

The meeting which brought together wives (and husbands) of sitting legislators and is meant to recognize the important role the spouses of national politicians and other elected leaders play in the public life of the country, many by being the power and strength behind their politician-partners.

“As spouses of leaders (MPs), you are well placed to create positive attitudes in our country”, she said.

The First lady is the spouse of President Uhuru Kenyatta. She urged the country to recognize and treat well wives of elected leaders, who are important drivers of change in the community as they form the very important unofficial links to their serving husbands.

“As women we are not always treated fairly; not by family nor community. Our interests are neither well received nor are they acted upon”, she observed.

Essentially, the First Lady argued that spouses of elected leaders are, by their positions, also leaders. The first Lady has  ably run one of the most successful projects maternal health in the country – Beyond Zero – setting a good example on how spouses of national leaders can contribute to national growth.

Faiza Junet, wife to Raila ally and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, said the spousal organization is critical in creating critical linkages between people thus fostering national cohesion. She also said the spouses of political leaders are the best lobbyists since they understand the issues they husbands privately care about.

“At the end, they are our husbands and after all is said and done they come back home to us so we can reason with them and correct them where we feel they are going wrong in terms of the interests of this country,” she said. “Our aim is to unite the country and bring Kenyans together.”