Ida Odinga reveals secret behind Homa Bay’s success in meeting gender rule
By Steve Ireri, August 8, 2025ODM leader Raila Odinga’s wife, Ida, has reflected on why she believes Homa Bay County stands out as the only county in Kenya to have fulfilled the one-third gender rule, noting that it has even surpassed this benchmark by attaining an equal balance of men and women in political leadership.
Speaking during the burial of Phoebe Asiyo in Homa Bay on Friday, August 8, 2025, Ida reflected on the journey towards gender equality in leadership, tracing it back to the landmark 1995 Beijing Conference, which first brought the concept of the one-third gender rule into sharp focus.
She said that while many people in Kenya did not initially understand the principle, women leaders have continued to push for its realisation nearly three decades later.
“In 1995, there was the Beijing Conference, which brought about the one-third gender rule. Many people did not understand what it was all about, and even today, we, the women of Kenya, are still working towards achieving the one-third gender rule. I think the only county which has reached that level is Homa Bay County, which now has 50 per cent women leadership in politics,” she said.
Ida said that among Kenya’s 47 counties, only Homa Bay has reached and exceeded the target, with women occupying 50 per cent of political leadership positions.
She credited this progress to a culture of inclusivity, strong mobilisation of women leaders, and the example set by pioneers like Phoebe Asiyo, whom she described as a personal mentor.
“So we did many things with Phoebe. We, the women of Kenya, are still working towards achieving the one-third gender rule.”
Reflecting on her friendship with Asiyo, Ida recounted moments they worked together beyond politics, including a memorable occasion when Asiyo asked her to mobilise women to accompany her to Kabarnet to seek the hand of her son’s bride.
Ida said she was able to rally a large group, including prominent women leaders such as Eve Obara, to make the trip.
She added that being born in Kabarnet made the negotiations easier, allowing the group to speak freely with the local community.
“Having said that, we did many things with Mama Phoebe. There was a time she asked me if her son wanted to marry, and she requested me to mobilise women so that we could go to Kabarnet to ask for the hand of his bride in marriage. I collected many women, including some like Eve Obara, who is here, and many others, and we went there to speak to the people of Kabarnet. Luckily, I was born there, so the discussions were easy,” she added.
Such moments, Ida noted, reflected the camaraderie, unity, and mutual support that defined her relationship with Asiyo and shaped their shared vision for advancing women in leadership.
“We did many things together with Phoebe.”