News

Former Kanu leader is force behind Chama ya Mapatano

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021 00:00 | By
Damaris Too is the woman behind the new Chama ya Mapatano Kenya launched in Nairobi last week. Photo/PD/Wycliffe Kipsang

Wycliffe Kipsang

Damaris Too resigned as a member  of the Kanu Women  Congress in October last year  triggering speculation that she was headed to deputy President William Ruto’s camp.

In her letter of resignation, she indicated she wanted to pursue other personal and professional interests.

 “Over my years as a gold member, I have had the opportunity to meet great leaders of the party and learnt many lessons that I will truly cherish in my future pursuits as I move to the next chapter of my life,” said the letter.

“By a foot of this letter request that the office of the Registrar of Political Parties to immediately delete my name from the members’ list of Kanu Party,” she wrote.

New Party launch

Too is the woman behind the Chama ya Mapatano Kenya (CYMK) which was launched in Nairobi last week.

Sources indicated that Ms Too resigned in a huff as the leader of the party women’s league  after Kanu chairman Gideon Moi sidelined her in the running of party affairs.

In an interview with People Daily, Ms Too said that her party would champion the rights of the youth and good governance in the country even as she dismissed claims that there were forces behind the formation of the new political outfit. 

“I’m an independent person. We welcome any other party with political aspirations like ours.

But as at now, we’ve not seen any,” said Ms Too even as she declined to divulge what position she will vie for in next year’s polls. 

She cites firebrand politicians such as Martha Karua, Anne Waiguru, Charity Ngilu, Beth Mugo and Millie Odhiambo as her role models. 

“They have given me a lot of motivation to do what I’m doing today. I want to join the league of Kenyan women who have waded the murky Kenya politics, “Ms Too told People Daily while  unveiling the party at Sirikwa hotel, Eldoret. She encouraged other Kalenjin women to follow her footsteps. 

Grassroot mobilisation

She said the new outfit has rolled out a rigorous grassroot mobilization and registration of members countrywide and called on Kenyans from all walks of life to join the party.

“It is time we consider a new paradigm shift on how we do our politics. Our party seeks to present equality in the eyes of the law.

Those seeking another term in office have always violated simple provisions in the law including failure to pass the two third gender rule,” said Ms Too. 

“Time has come to show what a youthful government looks like. We’ve always been told that the youth are tomorrow’s leaders.

That tomorrow will never come. Let’s make it come today,” added the youthful politician.

“Mapatano, as the name suggests, is the coming together, particularly of equal-minded people who want to do a different kind of politics. Politics of accountability.

I hope that I can do my part in Kenya’s political space to make an impact, and in so doing, motivate you to do the same, “ said Cherono at a press conference held in Nairobi.

The CYMK Party leader also exuded confidence that the new political outfit would serve to inspire the coming generations with the right ideas.

“I would like to encourage every single Kenyan who has even dreamt of getting into the leadership of service, to go ahead and pursue that dream,” she added.

The Party’s  name, which is a Swahili word meaning “coming together”, aims at bringing together women and young people, and all those who believe in the spirit of gender inclusivity.

The Party leader, who comes from Mosop Constituency, Nandi County, also took her time to defend the Building Bridges Initiative, which has been rocked by several hurdles including a recent court ruling that declared the process unconstitutional.

More on News


ADVERTISEMENT

RECOMMENDED STORIES News


ADVERTISEMENT