Delegates of Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation from all 35 wards in Kisumu County have reaffirmed their support for the county leadership and resolved that internal disputes should be handled through the organisation’s constitutional structures rather than in public.
The resolutions were adopted during the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, attended by about 350 elected delegates, with each ward represented by 10 members.
Kisumu County Chairperson Caren Oloo said the meeting was convened to address concerns arising from allegations and speculation surrounding the organisation’s leadership and management.
“We decided to call our members from the grassroots because issues had been raised that were creating concern among our members. We felt it was important to restore confidence and the dignity of the organisation while addressing the speculation and propaganda that has been going on,” Oloo told reporters after the meeting.
Delegates unanimously endorsed the current county leadership, saying allegations circulating publicly did not reflect the position of the organisation’s elected membership, she said.
“The conflict was being created outside the organisation and outside the mandates of the organisation. Whatever you are hearing and seeing out there had nothing to do with this team because these are the elected delegates who form the leadership of this organisation,” Oloo said.
The meeting also rejected allegations of fraud and irregularities involving the organisation’s land and other assets.
Oloo said documents were presented to delegates to address the claims, adding that the allegations were based on misinformation.
“We’ve provided documents and the members have seen them. I believe it was mischief being used to serve somebody’s interest because you cannot mislead people who do not have proper information and spoil other people’s names,” she said.
Delegates further resolved that future disagreements should be addressed through the dispute resolution mechanisms provided under the Maendeleo ya Wanawake constitution.
Oloo said members who bypass the organisation’s internal procedures by taking disputes to the public could face disciplinary action.
“We have a constitution that guides us and issues of Maendeleo will never be addressed on the streets. We have disciplinary mechanisms and, where necessary, matters will be handled through the Council of the Wise,” she said.
She also dismissed allegations concerning sewing machines and the organisation’s land title, saying the distribution of the equipment had been conducted transparently and that issues relating to land registration were administrative matters that were being addressed.
“The issue of the land title has nothing to do with anybody stealing any title. It is an administrative matter that is already being corrected, and I believe next time we meet we shall be celebrating the completion of that process,” Oloo said.
The meeting concluded with delegates reaffirming their confidence in the county leadership and committing to uphold the organisation’s constitution in resolving future disputes.
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