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AGNES ZANI: FROM LECTURE ROOMS TO POLITICAL BOARDROOMS

BY MUKAMI MUNGAI

My interview with ODM nominated Senator Ms Agnes Zani was scheduled for 8am. And been an early riser and stickler to time, Zani arrived earlier than I had anticipated and had already settled in her KICC office overlooking the busy Kencom Bus Station. I arrived a few minutes later and was ushered in by her personal assistant.

Zani warmly welcomes me with her down to earth demeanour.we exchange greetings before settling down for the interview. She asks, “What do you want to know about me?”I retort back “everything. “She smiles and starts with her background history.”I was born in Mombasa and spent my early childhood in Kwale.”She says nostalgically. She spent her early primary and secondary education life at the Coast before coming to Nairobi Girls High School to complete her secondary education.

Afterwards she joined the University of Nairobi for a Bachelor and Masters degree in Sociology before proceeding to America for her MSC and PHD in Sociology. The Oxford graduate returned to Kenya in 1993 and immediately got a job as a lecturer in the University of Nairobi in the faculty of social sciences.

As we continue with the interview, I cannot help but notice her passion for social economic development.”I come from a marginalized area. I know how it feels to lag behind in the social and economy spheres. This creates too much poverty and hence my desire to change my community has driven me into championing for social development rights, “She says.

This passion has also made her hang her boots as a lecturer and wade into the murky political waters. “Good politics gives life to social economic development and all political players need to support it, “she says.

Zani who is a first timer nominated senator is quite active in the senate. She has participated in almost all sessions in the senate and her contribution is unrivalled. She says she will introduce a motion for the legislation of natural resources in the senate.

Bold, intelligent and articulate as she is, the nominated senator has cast her net wider and she even gunned for the secretary general seat in the ODM party elections. I ask her whether she felt intimidated because of the magnanimity of the post. “Women need to change themselves on how to deal with the social economic landscape. We should be team builders with men and be focused on service delivery, “she says.

Zani whose role models are Mitchell Obama, Graca Machel, the late Mother Teresa and Princess Diana is also motivated to bring change by the woman in the village who works very hard to fend for her family despite the odds against her. She also recognizes Kenyan women leaders who have set the pace in the social, economic and political arena.

A loyal ODM member, Zani says that she will revitalize the party and together with other party members ensure the implementation of the party manifesto ahead of the next General Election and also ensure that people in the grassroots are more involved in party decisions. “How is it been a woman politician? Is there pressure?”I ask. “We appreciate that the constitution has brought affirmative action and many women are joining politics unlike before when they were intimidated and looked down upon by male colleagues. Women participation and inclusion is spelt out in the constitution. Women are also in boardrooms making major decisions with their male counterparts, “she replies.

The mother of two has taught in Nazarene and Catholic Universities, worked with Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association (KEWOPA), sat as the acting chair of IFP and has sat on several other boards.

She encourages women to set targets and goals and achieve them despite the surmountable challenges. Zani who is in her 40’s, says she has great future plans but fails to disclose them.

During her leisure time, she loves spending time with her family, travelling, watching TV and debating on social economic issues. As I prepare to leave her office, she is also in haste to leave and she tells me that she has meetings all day with other senators and ODM party members.