How to Join Politics as a Woman

Who is a political woman in Kenya

The main purpose of this paper is to trace the role of women in Kenyan politics from the pre-colonial era to the present. It emphasizes the fact that although women have contributed tremendously to the political history of Kenya, their contributions have not been adequately acknowledged. This lack of acknowledgement has resulted in the lack of role models that characterizes women's participation in all spheres of public life. Attention is paid to the fact that not enough effort has been made by proponents of women's issues to incorporate grassroots women in the mainstream of the struggle. This, in turn, defeats the main purpose of all women everywhere - that of improving their overall status in society. And, finally the paper highlights the lessons that can be drawn for tomorrow from this historical paradigm. Women are cautioned that they are at the crossroads. They might either move forward or regress to the marginalised status that has characterized them since the pre-colonial era. They must therefore, seize this opportunity of challenge and strive to improve their overall position in society by vying for positions of prominence in society.