Rose Nyamunga: I hope to fulfil my campaign pledges

Q: What were you doing before joining politics?

I am trained in finance and law. I am a business oriented person. I grew up knowing that salary is not enough and I must find other ways of sustaining myself.

I was driven into politics because of the plight of the people. I thought women should get out of dependence to independent, they should be supplementing their husbands. I love empowering women.

Did your husband (former Nyando MP Erick Nyamunga) influence your joining politics?

It is the other way round. I am the one who shaped him; he was not a politician but I encouraged him to join because I had a feeling that he would relate to people really well. I wanted him work for the people. He is, however, very supportive of me and I discuss my political problems with him.

Does your Christian background influence how you make political decisions?

My Christian background has helped me to be sober. I cannot waiver for whatever reasons.

How do you cope in a male-dominated Parliament?

 Male dominance is every where. Men are my colleagues and what matters is how much you can work with each other. I am not confrontational, I engage my colleagues through negotiation and exchange of ideas so I fit in Parliament very well.

Tell us about the programme you started to empower women?

It actually developed on its own. Every time I went home, I would be followed by old women who would request help on a myriad of issues.

There was a lady who came from the US and I requested her to work with women on economic empowerment. I housed her for four years and in the process we were able to identify what to give to the women to make them self-reliant.

We have 46 grandmothers and 140 grandchildren under the programme. We have trained them in small trading business.

There are those who trained in hand craft weaving which we send to the US and the money is later wired to them.

The children are attached to volunteer parents in the US who support them with school fees up to college level.

Tell us about your family

I am married to Engineer Erick Nyamunga; I am a mother of five. When I am at home, I am a typical wife and mother, not a politician.

What do you love cooking?

I believe nobody can cook ugali as well as I do. I also love white meat, traditional vegetables and fruits.

Do you get time to have dinner as a family?

Yes, especially when I am in Nairobi.

How are your days like?

My day begins at 4 a.m.,  I read the Bible and do household chores and then leave the house by 7 a.m. on days when I do not have the (parliamentary) committee meetings.

I go to the gym three times a week, in the evening.

Who are your mentors?

My late father, my husband and Mrs Ida Odinga who is my political mentor. She saw the potential in me before I started practicing politics.

Which woman do you admire?

Former Cabinet minister and presidential candidate Martha Karua for her courage.

Do you plan to run for a higher position in future?

If given the chance why not? The ambition is there but I do not want the ambition to override my performance.

What are some of the challenges you experience as an MP?

My constituents expect much from me, but I don’t have the funds to intiate some of the ideas which I believe would benefit them. However, I do my best to make a difference with the little I have.

What drives you?

The promises I made to the people of Kisumu during campaigns. I strive to ensure that the women are better off than I found them.