As the world and different democracies try to embrace gender parity with many having not yet achieved it, the women have also decided to rise and take up space in different offices. In Kenya, Suba north member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo has been on the forefront in the battlefield for the place of a woman in power. To reinforce this, Hon Millie who doubles up as the minority whip in the national assembly, has officially launched her book “Rig or be Rigged’
In an exclusive book launch party, Millie Odhiambo aka The real Bad Girl brought together individuals of power across the spectrum. This is from politics, to the medicine world, Media and even activism. A handful of other ‘bad girls’ who showed up for Hon Millie include Narc Kenya Leader Martha Karua, and Ann Waiguru, Sabina Chege not forgetting Kenya’s celebrated journalists and entertainer Mwalimu Rachel among many other opinion setters in Kenya. Speaking during the launch party, Martha Karua commended Hon Millie for being at the forefront in showing not only Kenya but the world at large that women too are good enough and fit for Leadership.
“Millie Odhiambo is a woman of courage and principle. She is not afraid to stand alone when she needs to but is still a team player. Well done for being a bad girl. We celebrate you as an inspiration to all of us.”
According to Millie, the book is aimed at pushing more women into leaders. This is even as the country’s Parliament continues to push towards the two thirds gender rule. Through a statement on her social media account on platform X, Hon Millie has noted that the book is dedicated to her parents, particularly her mother, Damaris Auma Odhiambo. She has attributed her success and confidence to go at everything she has ever put her minds on, to her mother who she says has always been the her push.
“I dedicate this book to the memory of my mother Damaris Auma Odhiambo, an exceptional leader “who had no title” and to the memory of my father, Harrison Odhiambo Opiyo, from whom I must have picked the political bug”
On the other hand, Millie has vowed to always be at the forefront in proving the world otherwise and dissolving misconceptions about women in leadership and power. Additionally, she has noted the need to embrace woman in leadership since they are fit and good enough. Further, she has noted the need for women to be counted in rooms that matter and in this case, in the theater room of policies and issues that shape governance.
“Women must be counted where it matters. If at all the impeachment goes through, there are many women seated here who are up to the task!”
This is her first political leadership book based largely on her experiences and that of other distinguished women leaders. The lessons are couched as principles and explore the world of leadership, politics and power for women in Africa.