Will the fair sex maintain its salvo in the House?

• Despite men’s dominance in Parliament, women have carved a huge stake in the Legislature and, as EMEKA-MAYAKA GEKARA and NJERI RUGENE write, things are shaping up for equality in politics

As Ms Ngilu rallied troops for Mr Odinga, Ms Karua traversed the country wooing voters to the Kibaki camp. She would eventually be appointed as one of the PNU negotiators in the Kofi Annan-led mediated talks that mid-wifed the current coalition after the disputed polls, and later handed the Justice docket.

Independent-mindedness

But, in her trademark independent-mindedness, the Narc-Kenya chairperson would later be the first coalition Cabinet minister to resign in principle after a fallout with the President over judicial appointments.

The Gichugu MP, who has since declared her interest in the presidency, has joined a caucus of fiery back-benchers in an effort to check the government’s excesses.

The new year presents our gallant women in the August House with yet another opportunity to fight for our rights, and we trust the strides made towards achieving equal representation in Parliament will aid them in this cause.