Millie Odhiambo to women: Shadow leaders in political seats you wish to hold

Women aspiring to contest for various political seats in the country have been advised to shadow leaders holding similar positions for mentorship.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo said this will protect them from campaigns and election shocks.

“You need to follow and closely watch an MP or a person holding a similar position you want to vie for. If you want to go for governorship, shadow a governor and if you want to contest for MCA, shadow an MCA,” she said.

Odhiambo spoke on the sidelines of an intergenerational women mentorship workshop in Machakos county on Friday.

“I say this because we have over-glamourised politics in Kenya. Politics is a selfless service,” Odhiambo said.

The capacity building forum was organised by Forum for African Women Educationists.

Odhiambo, who was accompanied by Dagoretti North MP, Beatrice Elachi and nominated MP Irene Mayaka, mentored 30 women on leadership skills.

Nominated senators Beth Syengo and Crystal Asige also spoke to the women.

The mentorship programme was financed by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.

The programme, which is run in academies with many cohorts, seeks to raise the number of women in politics.

“This is the fifth academy. There are lots of lessons we have learnt, it’s also intergeneration forum. Today, we have women who are already in politics, elected and nominated. We have senators and MPs offering mentorship to other women through Kewopa,” she said.

Odhiambo asked the women to know their capabilities and opponents before getting into politics.

The lawmaker said it is easy to be swept by winds of ideology, character and different activities as an elected or nominated leader, unless you understand yourself.

“You must be clear on why you got into politics. Many people think politics is glamorous. So, they want to come in for kick backs because we have unfortunately exercised opulence. We thank the Gen Z for forcing politicians to get back to why they were elected,” Odhiambo said.

She said she has seen many defenders of good change join other camps once in Parliament.

Odhiambo said women should have their values intact to avoid 'contamination'.

“In politics, there are people who will sell you a cemetry, title deeds to heaven and all manner of things. We are a melting kind of salt in politics, we have lawyers, doctors and thieves,” she claimed.

The outspoken MP who's been fronted by the ODM party as its chief whip in the National Assembly urged women aspirants to join political parties, stating that they will give them higher chances of winning seats.

“If you don’t get into a political party, it will become difficult because you will be fighting against the bigwigs. You can’t be fighting against ODM chief Raila Odinga and President William Ruto for instance, and win easily,” she said.

The MP urged women to volunteer in politicalp parties as well to get spaces and be seen and heard.

She previously told women aspiring to be leaders in the political space to be aggrasive saying "good girls don't get the corner office".