Maryan Hussein Declares interest in County Seat

Maryan Hussein, an employee of Garissa Municipal Council has thrown her hat into Garissa County politics. Her campaign launch was attended by various representatives of women's groups. She called for a permanent change in the status quo, the recognition of women's contribution to society and their ability to succeed in leadership roles.

Maryan said many women who lost their livestock due to the sporadic drought have lost their livelihood and were in dire need for micro financing projects that will help reduce the impact of the poverty. she added: "I bilieve i understand the county's problem having bred here and thrust into the thick of problems but after suffering the problem i come with a solution and not bickering," "i was shocked since it was taking me long to make some voter understand the position i will vie for " she said She urged men to shun their preconception that women can never be leaders . The ODM nominated mp Sofia Abdi was the first women who ever tried a parliamentary seat in Ijara constituency of Garissa county 1997 elections but lost .same to others who have been trying civic seats .  

Should Women become Kadhis?

This question is causing friction between two prominent Muslim organizations in the country. The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, a conservative leaning group, is opposed to the move while Muslims for Human Rights, a liberal minded body, is advocating for the appointment of female kadhis.

So is the exclusion of women from judgeship positions a culturally constructed phenomenon or a religiously fixed edict?
Shouldn't Muslims, the beneficiaries of a special treatment by a secular constitution, recognize the importance of gender diversity in all aspects of society? What makes it impossible for learned women to adjudicate in matters relating to family disputes and marriage- their area of natural expertise?

Or is this radical feminism disguised as affirmative action?

What are your thoughts on this?

Mogadishu Girls Basketball Team

UPDATE: Mogadishu Girls made it to the Semi-Finals of the tournament eventually finishing in third place after they beat fellow semi-finalists Nairobi. 

 If you don't know what I'm about to tell you, you've probably been living under an acacia tree in some Alshabab controlled village for the past week.

 Ladies & Gentlemen, Mogadishu is no longer satisfied with dominating the "war scene". That's why the world's most violent city has sent its best girls to conquer East Africa's women's basketball competition.

The hotties were quite impressive in their first outing against reigning champions Nairobi Girls and almost gave us the biggest upset of the tournament. The match was full of alley-oops, hook shots, great dribbles, excellent passes and overall, an outstanding display of basketball. All this achieved with just two weeks of training. You hear that Garissa High School? Speak of making it against the odds!

This's in stark contrast to Garissa High School's effete crew of muscle-atrophied "jocks" who were hapless in all their three matches at the recently concluded KSSSA Kakamega Games.

Embedded Below is a video of the remarkable and inspirational Mogadishu Girls. Just ignore the douchy reporter's claims that Somali women are culturally subjugated. As far as I know, our women are some of the most opinionated and fiercely liberal women in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab league {Think Hawa Tako & Company}. And its not like cabiid women are associated with any kind Feminism, militant or intellectual.

Crossing my fingers for a Cinderella story here.

In unrelated news, Garissa might host the Kenya Secondary Schools Games next year. Read full story here

The Scourge of FGM & Early Marriage in Garissa

I'm not an oracle but I'll try and draw on whatever meager oracular powers I possess to claim that the girls housed at Dr. Ekman Girls's Home will in very measurable ways transform the role of women in society and our perception of islamo-neo-feminism. Right now, I'm all bubbly because this institution is solely breaking down deep rooted cultural misconceptions on womanhood and the role of a strong female in society. I have been to this school, talked to the girls and will be writing a review on the performance of this school cum home.

Save for preppy middle class private schools, I don't think there are any other schools in Garissa that have students whose mastery of english is so flawless whose desire to succeed despite all obstacles is boundless and whose generosity is so genuine. 

I thank NTV for telling a story that needed to be told in a voice that is so authentic.

Video is below here: