Gloria Orwoba Calls Out Senate’s “Boys Club” and Advocates for Gender Equality

By Robert Mutasi 

Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has sparked conversation with her recent remarks on the challenges facing women in the Kenyan Senate, highlighting the dominance of the so-called "boys' club."

Orwoba expressed her frustration with the male-dominated environment in the Senate, which she believes hampers the lives of female legislators. 

"If I come back in another life, I want to come back as a married man. The boys club is very big and visible,” Orwoba said during an interview with K24 TV on Wednesday September 4, 2024.

Her comments have sparked a wider debate about gender equality in Kenyan politics, especially within the confines of power where decision-making is often done anonymously.

Orwoba, who has been a strong advocate for women's rights and gender equality, explained that the influence of the "boys' club" does not necessarily prevent the Senate from working effectively.

However, she said that it makes life more difficult for women who are part of the legislative body.

"I wouldn't say that the boys' club has stopped the Senate from working effectively. However, it makes the life of women there difficult," she explained.

Her remarks have touched many, especially considering the ongoing struggle for the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule in Kenya.

The principle, which is enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya, mandates that no more than two-thirds of any body to be elected or appointed shall be of the same sex.

Despite being a constitutional requirement, its implementation has faced great challenges, and repeated failures to pass legislation that would ensure compliance.

The two-thirds gender rule was created to increase women's participation in governance and ensure that women have a stronger voice in decision-making processes.

However, the reality has been different, with women often finding themselves marginalized in the male-dominated political arena.

Orwoba's comments serve as a stark reminder of the cultural and institutional barriers that continue to hinder gender equality in the country .

The Senate, like many other political institutions in the country, has been slow to fully embrace the spirit of gender equality.

Women in politics often have to navigate an environment where their contributions are not valued, and their presence in leadership roles is questioned.

Orwoba's call for change is a reflection of the frustration many women in Kenyan politics feel as they push for a more inclusive and egalitarian political environment.

Her advocacy of gender equality and the full implementation of the two-thirds gender rule is a reminder that although progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to achieve true gender equality in Kenya's political institutions.