From food vendor to political pioneer: Rebecca Magut's 20-year journey in politics
Rebecca Chepchirchir Magut, the Member of County Assembly for Kuinet-Kapsuswa in Uasin Gishu County, during the interview in Eldoret town on May 29, 2014.
What you need to know:
- Rebecca's journey into politics began when she was nominated as a councillor by the Kenya African National Union (Kanu) party in 2003.
- She ran for councillor in 2007 on the ODM ticket and won in Radar, and subsequently became the first female Deputy Mayor of Eldoret.
At a time when many women frowned upon politics and did not consider it a career, Rebecca Chepchirchir Magut was preparing the ground to join political leadership. The networks and relationships she had established through her successful food business would later prove useful in transforming herself into a leader and an influential person.
Through her business and leadership roles in the business community, her capabilities became visible. So, it did not surprise many people when key political leaders started recognising her abilities.
Her journey into politics began when she was nominated as a councillor by the Kenya African National Union (Kanu) party in 2003. As a young woman flourishing in business, her influence started gaining traction among her customers and the political class. Some of the people who patronised her hotel egged her on joining politics. Although she was not enthusiastic, someone else was: her then MP, who is now the current President William Ruto, recognised her leadership skills and nominated her for councillorship.
In 2007, she ran for councillor on the ODM ticket and won in Radar ward, Eldoret North. The win resulted in her election as the first female Deputy Mayor of Eldoret Municipal Council, a position she held until 2013. By then, the current Constitution had been enacted, creating the member of county assembly (MCA) position. Her sterling performance and dedication to service saw her win re-election in 2013 as the first MCA for Kuinet/Kapsuswa in Soy constituency.
During these years in leadership, she actively served in influential Uasin Gishu county assembly committees that offered her the opportunity to touch the lives of many residents. This track record would later contribute to her re-election in 2022 on the United Democratic Alliance ticket, then the popular party among her voters.
Rebecca credits her success in politics for the mentorship by her husband and her will to serve. For her, leadership was not just a position to improve her popularity but an opportunity to address the pressing needs of her constituents that included improving roads and healthcare.
“My driving force is to be a better leader. I am particularly grateful for the mentorship and support of my former MP William Ruto, whose dedication to community development served as a source of inspiration throughout my political journey on how to deal with community issues.
"My other mentor was Jebii Kilimo, who I had the privilege of working with. She operated a salon in the same vicinity where I had my food business. Her win in the 2002 election was a major inspiration to me. We campaigned together tirelessly because of our shared commitment to promoting women's leadership.”
Witnessing Jebii's dedication to critical issues such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and security concerns in Elgeyo Marakwet helped her appreciate the effectiveness of female leadership. This belief was reinforced by the performance of women leaders such as Peris Tobiko. She was convinced that women had what it takes to handle political power and be a force of positive change.
She has proved to be that positive change agent society is looking for. But her journey in politics has not been as smooth as it may seem. “As a young mother, my greatest fear was being judged by the community and relatives as a woman who abandoned caring for her children to pursue a career in politics. Yet, I believed this move would benefit my family as well.”
She navigated this by talking to her family then followed her dreams. Financial limitations remain another major challenge. As a nominated councillor with modest income, Rebecca says she always struggled to mount successful campaigns. To date, this remains a challenge despite her many years in politics.
Smear campaigns are her other challenge. Her opponents have tried to use her marital status to halt her political success, saying she is a foreigner in the community who should not be given a chance to lead. But this has not affected her support base which is focused on her development record.
“I focused on real issues and avoided being distracted by sideshows. One of the issues I focused on is the problem affecting small businesses, particularly the plight of street vendors and hawkers who faced constant harassment due to lack of licensing.”
By successfully championing a motion to grant licences to these traders, she not only addressed a pressing community need and garnered widespread support from individuals she sought to empower. “The overwhelming backing of street vendors and hawkers during the 2007 and subsequent elections underscored the impact of my advocacy efforts.”
Her impact-based leadership raised her popularity to enviable levels, with voters electing her as a demonstration of their belief in her capabilities. Social media was one of the platforms she used to popularise herself and her abilities. “My supporters rallied behind me, recording messages and spreading the word, likening me to the resilient figure of the late President Mwai Kibaki that was exhibited in 2002 when he took over while on a wheelchair.”
Among her best moments was unwavering support from her political party, particularly the solidarity shown by fellow elected women in Uasin Gishu County. She says their presence at rallies and continuous encouragement bolstered her spirits. Equally rewarding to her was a marked decrease in political violence, and a shift to issue-based campaigns that signalled a positive change in competition. This has seen voters asking the most important questions about someone’s attributes and their agenda.
“True leadership, I've come to realise, is about being accessible and responsive to the needs of the people. Serving two terms as an MCA and previously as a councillor has given me the opportunity to learn many things. One of them is the importance of being available and attentive to the concerns of your constituents. It is also important to establish partnerships and alliances that go beyond tribe and religion.”
Good rapport
Rebecca also actively participates in ceremonies of different religious institutions, despite being an Adventist. This approach has allowed her to build alliances and rapport with residents, attending to their needs and concerns. “I have learnt that when someone brings a problem to you, take the time to listen to them before offering solutions. Whether it's providing advice or direct assistance, every interaction is an opportunity to serve.”
Her strength lies in effective communication and facilitating community-led development through public participation. She lets residents determine development priorities for the ward, and her role is to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are addressed. Asked what has helped her flourish in politics for over two decades, she narrows it down to four things: unwavering faith in God; residents’ trust in her leadership; the support of her family and political party; and her leadership skills.
Her development record can also be attributed to her education and knowledge. She studied Public Administration in Kisii University and a county governance course at Kenyatta University. “This intensive three-month program provided me with invaluable insights and strategies that have greatly contributed to my success as an elected officer.”
The support of her family is another factor that explains her excellence and resilience. She is constantly appealing to fathers and husbands to support their daughters and wives pursuing political careers. “Their support contributes to our success in politics. Once in leadership, it is up to you as a woman leader to sustain yourself. For me to ensure this happens, I have served my community with honesty and dedication, earning the respect of my constituents, church, and family members.”
Rebecca says besides her family, women leaders in Uasin Gishu like Deputy Speaker Sarah Malel and MCA Mary Goretti remain a great source of inspiration.
