The declaration by veteran banker Rose Wambua that she would be seeking to be elected as the next MP for Kangundo has sparked a vicious debate on gender and politics.
The constituency, which is widely regarded as ‘the cradle of Kamba civilization’ has had a history of male dominance in power politics, at least until late last year when Ms Wambua plunged into politics.
The former manager with the Cooperative Bank of Kenya has been the talk of the constituency after apparently attracting massive political support across the constituency.
Since independence, the constituency’s parliamentary seat has been dominated by male MPs including the late Joseph Paul Ngei, Joseph Mulusya, Joseph Ngutu, Moffat Maitha, Johnstone Muthama and the incumbent, Kyengo Maweu.
Should she clinch the seat, Ms Wambua will be the second woman in Machakos County to be elected MP after former Kathiani legislator Wavinya Ndeti.
But she will have to square it out with the incumbent Mr Maweu, and dozens of other aspirants including businessmen Athanus Ndolo, Titus Nzeki, Fabian Kyule and Musembi Mulungye who are also in the race.