Women leaders from across the country gathered to pay tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whose death has left a profound void in Kenya’s political landscape particularly among women who viewed him as a staunch advocate for gender equality.
Led by Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairperson Rahab Muia, the delegation laid wreaths at Odinga’s grave, honoring a man they described as the “architect of affirmative action.” Ms Muia said Odinga’s unwavering support for women’s leadership had transformed Kenya’s political representation.
“Without Baba, many of the strides we’ve made would have remained dreams,” she said. “He stood with us when it mattered most.”
Muia recalled the pivotal moments in Kenya’s legislative history, noting that although the first affirmative action motion was tabled by the late Phoebe Asiyo in 1997 and failed, it was revived in the early 2000s by Senator Beth Mugo with Odinga as its seconder. That motion laid the groundwork for the 2010 constitution, which ushered in 47 women representative seats and expanded opportunities for women in county assemblies.
“Today, we have over 87 female legislators,” Muia said. “This is the fruit of the seeds sown by leaders like Raila.”
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Principal Secretary Judy Pareno also paid tribute, sharing her personal journey shaped by Odinga’s mentorship. “I was the first Maasai woman to serve in the East African Legislative Assembly because Baba believed in me,” she said. “He nurtured leaders, and I’m proud to be one of them.”
Pareno went on to serve as a nominated senator and now holds a senior position in the Kenya Kwanza administration. “His legacy lives on in every woman who dares to lead,” she added.
Luo Council of Elders Chairperson Ondugi Randa, who led a delegation from Kisumu, emphasized that Raila Odinga’s most enduring message was the call for national unity. “The greatest message Baba left us with was to speak in one voice and unite as a country,” Randa said. “I call upon the President to honor that legacy by uniting all Kenyans.”
Muia lamented the loss of two key figures in the women’s movement Odinga and Mama Phoebe Asiyo within a span of five months. “It’s a blow to the country,” she said. “But we must honor their legacy by fully implementing the constitution and delivering on its promise.”
The tribute concluded with a call to action for current female legislators to uphold the values of inclusion and service that Odinga championed.
By Samson Jura
