Delegate Vicky Kanai of Airai State of the House of Delegates of the 11th Olbiil Era Kelulau announced her decision to retire from politics, making her the only incumbent lawmaker to decide not to run again for office this coming General Election in November 2024.
“Ng rekik a uchul meng kirek el mo olngull e kuk mesterir a remekerei el chad ra Airai a techal. Te betok a remekekerei el chad ra Airai el meduch e ulsemuul el sebechir el mo er tial deruchall,” expressed Delegate Kanai, of her reasons for retiring from politics. “I’ve served my state for many years, and I believe it is time for me to retire and give others the opportunity,” emphasized Kanai.
Delegate Kanai had served Airai State in various political positions for 28 years. She served in the Airai State Legislature (Olbiil era Ngerchumelbai) for 12 years and served as Governor of Airai State for 8 years. She was elected to the national congress (Olbiil Era Kelulau) as Airai State representative in 2016 and was re-elected in 2021, serving a total of 8 years as a Delegate of Airai State.
Kanai expressed her deep gratitude to the leaders and the people of Airai State for their trust and support over the years she served as their representative.
“I sincerely apologize to the people of Airai for my late decision, but I had to deeply consider my decision and its repercussions on my constituents, my family, and my health. It was a difficult decision for me because people’s trust in you is treasured, but I believe that it is the best decision for my State of Airai,” said Kanai of her struggle to reach her decision.
She said that she hoped her decision would spur other citizens of Airai who seek to serve their state the opportunity to run for the position of Airai State delegate.
Delegate Kanai is the lone woman member of the House of Delegates in the 11th Olbiil Era Kelulau, one out of the 16 delegates, and Senator Rukebai Inabo is the only woman Senator in the Senate, one out of nine senators. For a country with a strong matrilineal system, the number of women represented in congress is very low. Out of the 193 countries in the world, Palau ranks 171, with 6.3% of women in the lower house (HOD) and 7.7% in the upper house (senate). https://data.ipu.org/