African Woman and Child Feature Service

Reject Online Issue 82

Highlights in this issue:

• Confusion over devolved system
• Orphans in Trans Nzoia have their livelihood uplifted
• Joshua Malingi: First Malindi senator hails establishment of devolved government
• Hope for squatters as land commission gets down to work
• Kitui residents want the rundown 'goldmines' revived
• Press Freedom in Africa is obsolete
• Students benefit from books in electronic format
• African women scientists hold key to food security
• Women scientists empowered to boost farmers' income
• Scientists in a milestone development for livestock farmers

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Kenyan women should emulate Thatcher in their leadership roles

When Margaret Thatcher took over as Prime Minister of Britain in 1979, the country had huge problems. Workers were always on strike and things were not going well. However, she was able to change all these and Britain’s face changed for the better.

Thatcher ruled Britain for the longest time, 1979 to 1990 being the first woman Prime Minister, and serving for the longest period than anyone else in the past 150 years.

As Thatcher was laid to rest on April 17, many recalled that her toughness had made Soviet Union nickname her the Iron Lady. She was a no nonsense leader and even though she made friends and enemies alike, she made a mark as a woman leader.

Serving the community lays foundation for medic’s inspiration

In Kenya it is not common for people to resign from well paying jobs to try their hands in politics. However, for Dr Monica Ogutu, a trained medic, left a well-paying job at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) to start working for her community.

In 1995 Ogutu quit her job after completing her studies on Maternal Health in Uppsala Sweden to embark on community service. She then founded the Kisumu Medical Education Trust (KMET).

“I wanted an institution within the community to assist young girls lead normal life,” she explains.