Auditions for the second season of Ms President Reality TV show have kicked off with over 300 women getting a shot at being the first female President of the republic of Kenya following successful shortlisting of more than 700 applications.
Ms President Season 2 will contribute to enhancing women’s p participation in political leadership and decision making in Kenya through a multi-media program complemented with community dialogue and capacity strengthening for key stakeholder groups. Coming in the backdrop of the 2022 election makes Ms President Season 2 relevant and timely.
Media Focus on Africa began the auditions in Eldoret on the 28th – 29th of March at Sirikwa Hotel. Eldoret auditions include qualified participants from the following counties; Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Bungoma and Turkana.
Later on the team will head out to Kisumu for the 31st of March- 1st April auditions, where qualified participants from the following counties will audition; Homabay, Siaya, Migori, Kisii, Busia, Nyamira Vihiga and Kakamega, followed by Isiolo on the 4th of April- 5th April. Auditions here will include qualified participants from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, and Marsabit.
This will be followed by Nyeri, where qualified participants from the following counties will audition; Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Meru, followed with Nakuru, with participants from the following counties; Bomet , Kericho , Narok , Nyandarua, Laikipia , and Baringo, followed with Nairobi with participants from; Kiambu, Machakos , Makueni , Kitui , and Kajiado then wrap up the auditions in Mombasa where particpants from the following counties will audition; Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Tana River, and Lamu
The auditions include both verbal and written interviews before a panel of three judges from the Media Focus on Africa. Successful candidates will be notified of their results by the end of April. The auditions in various venues across Kenya will see 50 women selected to join the Ms President Academy. At this point, production for the Ms President show begins.
“We are looking for a qualified woman who is bold enough and ambitious to take up the President role in the future. ‘’- Frenny Jowi auditions judge.
The objective of Ms President is to change Kenyans’ perception and attitude towards leadership by women in communities and in the country.
Kenya’s constitution provides for equality in representation between men and women. However, in political leadership, women are significantly underrepresented. Following the 2017 election, female MPs make up only 22% of the National Assembly, 31% of the Senate and only 6% of the Governors.
Ms President Season 1 saw several of the participants take up notable leadership positions that have seen them do tremendous things in the society. 55% of Ms President Contestants have reported that Ms President has provided them leadership opportunities not available to them before. Three examples: Nadia Abdalla, Mombasa County contestant has since been appointed Chief Administrative Secretary in the ministry of ICT and Youth. Betty Adera, the Nairobi County contestant is now President of KANU Political Party Women Congress, a member of the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) technical team and Patron of the Young Women’s Forum in Africa by the Africa Youth Trust. Linet Mavu, Taita Taveta contestant has been appointed by the President to the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee. Many of Season 1 contestants are currently running for various MP and MCA positions.