Involve female leaders in key decision making

Married women want to know that their husbands have a plan for the family and are working towards securing their future. Photo/FILE 

By Peter Mutua

In Summary

• Women need assurance their future security and that of family is taken into account by husbands.

I passed by the field of the sluggard and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense and behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. - Proverbs 24:30-31 NASB

When Otoyo got home from his “investment group” meeting, he was caught off-guard by the open metal grill at the entrance. This was most unusual given his wife Felistas’ obsession with security.

Fumbling for his keys, Otoyo opened the main door. When it slammed shut, he was startled by a sound he had never heard before; loud echoes.

Groping around, he felt for the light switch. He turned it on. Nothing happened. Thinking there was a power blackout, he turned on the torch on his phone. The house was “swept clean”.

Frightened that his family was hostage in the house, Otoyo crept through the house. Finally coming to the master bedroom, he came across a strange sight — all his clothes heaped in a pile at the centre of the room. It finally registered in his brain, Felistas had left, taking the children with her.

Sitting down on the clothes, Otoyo recounted the previous week’s activities trying to find out what could have triggered this turn of events.

He thought they were happy. Felistas’ salon business had flourished over the last few years and she seemed able to cater for the family needs with lots of money left over to spare.

He had never beaten or insulted her, abused the children or taken more than the occasional beer. The little alcohol he had consumed that day evaporated leaving behind a pounding headache. Frustrated, he called his friend Justin who offered to come over.

While Justin consoled Otoyo, his wife Juliana tracked down Felistas. Over a cup of tea, Felistas told the whole story.

Ever since her business began to grow, Otoyo had started taking things easy, first by resigning from his work as a draughtsman in a civil engineering firm to “venture into business”. While she tried to be supportive, she had given up after the first three ventures collapsed.

Claiming to be cash strapped, Otoyo abdicated all financial responsibilities, including paying of school fees, utility bills and contributing to household expenses. Eventually, he even stopped supervising the children’s homework and disciplining them when necessary, leaving all these to Felistas.

Asked what his plans for the family’s future were, his statements revolved around Felistas’ business income.

Finally, Otoyo found a group of “investment” buddies who most recently came up with a plan where Otoyo would mortgage the family house in order to invest in property in Kajiado.

Frightened that they were on a downward spiral, Felistas decided to leave. Nothing could convince her to return to Otoyo, no matter how heart rending his cries were.

Female Leaders of Family Business, even though they may become wealthy on account of their business’ growth, still require material support from their husbands even if the amounts contributed appear miniscule in comparison to the businesses turnover.