Mbadi calls on Kenyans to elect more women in honour of trailblazer Phoebe Asiyo
Former Karachuonyo MP, the late Phoebe Asiyo. John Mbadi hs renewed push for gender balance in tribute to her.
What you need to know:
- Treasury CS John Mbadi has urged Kenyans to elect more women as a tribute to late trailblazer Phoebe Asiyo.
- Speaking in Suba on Friday, Mbadi said women have proven their leadership capabilities and deserve equal representation.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has issued an appeal to Kenyans to give more women opportunities to contest political seats, describing it as the most fitting tribute to the late Phoebe Asiyo, the pioneering former Karachuonyo MP who championed the two-thirds gender rule.
Speaking on Friday at a funds drive at Mikuyu Primary School in Suba South, Mbadi argued with evident conviction that women have proved their capability to vie for political positions just as effectively as men, and deserve equal opportunities to represent constituents in the National Assembly, Senate, and county assemblies.
"It is sad to hear some people saying that women cannot lead. Such statements can only be said by ignorant people," the Cabinet Secretary declared, expressing concern that some politicians still weaponise gender discrimination as a campaign tool against women candidates.
His call comes at a time when Kenya has witnessed unprecedented success of women in political leadership, yet barriers persist. The Treasury chief pointed to Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga as a prime example of women overcoming gender obstacles to secure electoral victory, noting that she became the first female governor in Nyanza region.
Other female governors across the country—Cecily Mbarire (Embu), Fatuma Achani (Kwale), Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos), Susan Kihika (Nakuru), and Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga)—further demonstrate women's proven leadership capabilities, according to Mbadi
Political discourse
"Let us engage in clear politics that does not involve gender discrimination," he urged, advocating for campaigns based on merit and policy rather than gender-based attacks.
Drawing from personal experience, the CS revealed that when he contested against Wanga for the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat in 2017, he deliberately avoided using gender as a campaign weapon.
"I only told people what I could do better than her, and that is how politics should be conducted," the Cabinet Secretary reflected, setting an example for future political discourse
Mbadi's appeal is deeply rooted in reverence for Asiyo's ground-breaking contributions to Kenyan politics. He eulogised the late MP as someone who made a significant impact on the country's leadership landscape, demonstrating that women could lead long before gender representation became a national priority.
"Majority of us did not believe that women could be elected into positions of leadership. But a lady came out and competed with men who were strong in government then. That was the late Mama Phoebe Muga Asiyo," Mbadi recalled.
The CS described Kenya's historical context as a patriarchal society where men held primary power and predominated in leadership roles, moral authority, social privilege, and property control.
Asiyo's political career spanned crucial periods in Kenyan history. First elected to Parliament from Karachuonyo in 1980, she served until 1983 when Parliament was dissolved, then returned triumphantly in 1992 after the introduction of the multi-party system, continuing until 1997. Her victory against Okiki Amayo in Karachuonyo remains a landmark moment in Kenyan political history.
The success of current female leaders serves as living testimony to Asiyo's enduring influence. Homa Bay County has emerged as a beacon of gender balance, having elected four female MPs in 2017 alongside woman representative Joyce Osogo. The impressive line-up includes Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), Lilian Gogo (Rangwe), and Eve Obara (Kabondo Kasipul), with the county also securing six elected female Members of County Assembly.
Remarkably, most of these women credit their political inspiration directly to Mama Asiyo, who died at the age of 93.
Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara speaks with deep gratitude about her mentor's influence: "I owe my position in Parliament to the late MP. Her mentorship enabled me to become an MP. She was very instrumental to my success in politics."
Obara, who transitioned from her role as Managing Director of the Kenya Literature Bureau to Parliament, described how Asiyo would mobilise women from various parts of the country to her home, positioning herself as a role model for women in leadership. "We started our engagement many years ago," the legislator recalled.
During a visit to Asiyo's family home in Wikondiek Village in Kanyaluo Ward on Saturday, Governor Wanga highlighted the former legislator's direct advocacy for women's political participation.
"She could call party leaders and tell them to give party tickets to women aspirants," Wanga revealed, illustrating Asiyo's hands-on approach to breaking down barriers.
"I am a beneficiary of her advocacy. She opened the doors not only for me but for many other leaders across the country," the governor acknowledged, emphasising how Asiyo's influence transcended regional boundaries.
Women's leadership
Also present during the Saturday visit, Karachuonyo MP Adipo Okuome praised Asiyo's ability to leverage international connections for community development, particularly benefiting women's groups. Despite serving before the National Government Constituency Development Fund existed, Asiyo used her influence to secure donor funding for local projects, including Oriang Pottery, a cooperative of widows creating decorative pots.
"A perfect example of the group she helped is Oriang Pottery, which is made up of widows who make pots for decoration," Adipo explained.
Rose Ouso, chairperson of Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation in Karachuonyo, and Teresa Korinda, the organisation's chaplain in Homa Bay County, both emphasised Asiyo's role in shifting national perceptions about women's leadership capabilities.
"She will be remembered for her motion of Affirmative Action, which played a very critical role in enlightening Kenyans and political parties that they needed to start taking care of the interests of women in politics. Kenya used to have very few female members of parliament, but now there are more," Ouso reflected.
Korinda highlighted Asiyo's instrumental role in establishing the woman representative position through her participation in the Yashpal Ghai-led Constitutional Review Committee. "Her influence ensured that the woman rep position was established in the current constitution. Now 47 women are serving because of her efforts," she noted.
Beyond politics, Asiyo also mentored women in personal matters, teaching female leaders about family dynamics and successful marriages.
