Vihiga County woman representative aspirant and medical doctor Amakove Wala has opened up about the realities of political campaigns, sharing her experiences as a first-time aspirant navigating the demanding environment of public rallies.
Wala, who has been participating in the Linda Mwananchi campaigns across several counties, said her journey through rallies in Mombasa, Nakuru, Vihiga, Kisumu, Machakos, Thika, Trans Nzoia and Bungoma has offered her valuable lessons about the nature of Kenyan politics.
Reflecting on her first experience at the Tononoka rally in Mombasa, Wala recalled arriving dressed in a long-sleeved flowing dress, hoping to embrace the coastal culture, only to be advised by a colleague to change into more practical campaign attire.
“Dr Brian took one look at me at the hotel where we were congregating from and told me, ‘Doc, go to the bathroom and change into jeans, T-shirts and sports shoes!’ Luckily, I had carried a change of clothes,” Wala narrated.
She admitted that she initially approached political rallies with expectations of order and fairness, believing that every participant would have an equal opportunity to speak and be treated with dignity.
However, her experiences changed that perception.
“I was naive about political rallies. I mean, there should be order. Women should be treated with dignity. Everyone gets a stab at the mic...right? WRONG!” she said.
According to Wala, political rallies are often a test of endurance, especially for new aspirants who must fight for visibility and recognition among established political figures.
She said female newcomers face unique challenges, including struggling to access the podium, navigating large crowds and adapting to unpredictable campaign environments.
Wala explained that aspirants may have to compete for a few seconds on the microphone, climb onto vehicles for visibility and endure physically demanding situations while trying to connect with voters.
She also highlighted security concerns, advising new aspirants to build relationships with security teams and remain aware of their surroundings during crowded events.
“Make friends with security teams from other aspirants. They come in handy when you need help,” she said, adding that she has benefited from support from security personnel who have become familiar with her during campaign tours.
The medical doctor encouraged female aspirants not to wait for opportunities to be handed to them but instead actively claim their space in politics.
“Fight. Like fight (not physically) for your space. Be confident about yourself. You show a moment of weakness, you get shoved off the dias or your seat,” Wala said.
She urged women entering politics to remain adaptable, support one another and build networks with fellow aspirants.
Despite the challenges, Wala said the campaign experience has been rewarding, describing political rallies as intense but exciting journeys that require resilience, courage and determination.
“Above all, enjoy the ride. Like literally. It has another adrenaline kick, if you enjoy such,” she said.