Wamae rages at ‘do-nothing’ women MPs

Former Roots Party presidential running mate Justina Wamae has called out women leaders, questioning their influence in Parliament and warning against using gender as a shield rather than a platform for change.

Speaking during a local radio interview on Friday, July 11, 2025, Wamae said that while Kenya has made strides in nominating more women to leadership positions, many of them have failed to convert those roles into meaningful impact.

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“Yes, you are nominated for the numbers. But what power are you using to influence legislation?” she asked, urging nominated and elected women leaders to push for stronger policy engagement instead of relying on identity politics.

Wamae noted that the country often celebrates the presence of women in government but forgets to ask the harder questions about what they are actually accomplishing in their roles.

“It’s not just about being a woman in the room, it’s about what you’re doing with that seat,” she said.

She criticised the tendency to play the “Mimi ni msichana, pity me” card during campaigns, saying leadership must be grounded in strategy, ideas, and delivery.

“You’re not elected because you look good or because you’re a woman. It’s about citizenship, nationhood, and getting things done,” she added.

Wamae also raised concerns about structural challenges within Parliament, including how committee rankings and internal politics can limit the influence of newcomers and nominated members.

Still, she believes women must rise above these barriers and lead with substance.

Her remarks come at a time when Kenya has the highest number of women in leadership in its history, both in government and across civil society.

But Wamae argues that this moment must not be wasted on symbolism alone.

“We must move away from colonial ways of seeing leadership and find a Kenyan way of fixing things,” she said.

The outspoken political figure concluded by urging women in power to stop hiding behind tokenism and start shaping the future through bold policy decisions and legislative leadership.