With constitutional changes putting the country in anxiety, women leaders could be on the losing end due to increased calls to scrap affirmative seats.
The 2010 constitution set limits high, requiring women to be nominated or elected to leadership positions on one-third gender rule, which is yet to be fully implemented.
Equally, Woman Representative seats were introduced, for the first time having 47 direct slots to the National Assembly. Many of them are also nominated.
While BBI report is yet to come out, Punguza Mizigo Bill has already expressed intentions to scrap Woman Representative seats, thus setting another tough pace.
Since independence, no woman has been elected to the National Assembly from both Kisii and Nyamira Counties. The region is perceived to be patriarchal.
Unlike in Kalenjin and Kikuyu lands, Gusii region's politics is patriarchal in nature. Even with devolved systems, Nyamira for instance, has only one elected woman MCA of the 20 wards.
In North Mugirango however, Dr Janet Komenda, who contested Woman Representative seat in 2017, has already joined the race to dethrone Joash Nyamoko.
"Affirmatively yes. Am going for that seat. Kindly support me even if you don't come from the North. God bless," she confirmed in a text on Wednesday.
The Ford Kenya National Elections Board chair served as an education minister during Governor John Nyagarama's first term before plunging into politics.
Even before the polls, this is considered a major achievement because throughout the two counties, it's rare to find a woman running for MP of Senatorial seat.
Patrick Matoke, a youth leader says Dr Komenda's entry to politics would shape the politics of Nyamira especially for women who are viewed as a weak gender.
"She joined the race to compete and not to participate. She has started well and I am sure she can make history. More women will join," he said.
Should Dr Komenda manage to beat Nyamoko and the team, she will become the first woman MP elected from the region without assistance of affirmative action.
But before her, Catherine Nyamato managed to serve in parliament as nominated MP. She tried a couple times to capture West Mugirango seat but all attempts flopped.
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