MS PRESIDENT: SEASON 1 – Media Focus On Africa

Project Summary

Ms President was an entertaining, educating and thought provoking Reality TV show that sough to portray to a national audience the capacity and ability of women to lead effectively. Through a series of tasks and challenges, contestants (all female) displayed their leadership capacity and ability on National TV. The series showcased intelligent and articulate women who are “Presidential” with the aim of increasing the chances of women in Kenya taking up leadership positions. 26 episodes of the Ms President TV show were produced and aired a...

Project Activities

Grand Finale | Announcing Winner

Over 1000 contestants and 26 episodes later, Hon. Nereah Amondi Oketch, a nominated Member of County Assembly from Homa Bay County, was announced Kenya’s first Ms President at the grand finale of Ms President Reality TV Show on 31st July 2019. “I dedicate this to Kenyan voices. I carry in me their hopes and aspirations. Ms President nurtured and allowed me to carry those aspirations,” she said. Audience voting to determine the winner of the contest encouraged viewer engagement with the show and widened the debate around women and leadership as viewers engaged in discussion on who is best suited to win the contest.

Sate House Visit

Ms President finalists were invited to State House where they had discussions on the state of the nation with the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta. “If we positively engage our women by creating opportunities and giving them chances, what we’re actually doing is not just empowering a woman, we’re actually empowering the nation.” said H.E Uhuru Kenyatta. He later on hosted them at his official function in Ruiru where he invited each of them to address the gathering from the official Presidential podium. The event was carried live by all the leading TV stations in Kenya.

Ms President Impact - Ongoing

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 by President Kenyatta, 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 and Patron of the Young Women’s Forum in Africa by the Africa Youth Trust. Linet Mavu, Taita Taveta contestant has been appointed by President Kenyatta to The Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee. And there are many more examples of this plus many are preparing to contest for elective posts in the 2022 general elections, Kenya.