I will support Rosemary Odinga's political ambitions -Aunty Ruth

Ruth Adhiambo Odinga, Raila's sister, is the only female deputy governor in Western Kenya, one among nine countrywide. She spoke to Maureen Odiwour about the wrangles in Kisumu County and her niece Rosemary

How was it growing up as an Odinga?

Having the Odinga name came with a lot of challenges. I was not allowed to join The Kenya High School because of my father's political stand and had to go to Asumbi Girls.

I used to run errands for my father when he was under house arrest. I would sneak in letters from his political friends like Wilson Ndolo Ayah and Mzee Odungi Randa while I was a pupil at Victoria Primary School in Kisumu. I learnt to be a survivor at a very tender age.

Are you one of the people fanning unrest in the County assembly? What exactly is going on?

I refused this issue of travelling to Uganda just to bond, or trips to other countries yet our hospitals don't even have water. They bid and allocate themselves tenders; they want to be contractors and at the same time supervise. They want to hold us at ransom stating they will impeach those who oppose them.

The assembly should stop politicking and focus on serving the people. In fact other countries are saying they are tired of Kenyans who are always going for 'benchmarking'.

What was the mood when you said you were running for Deputy Govenor?

My family did not take me seriously. They held a meeting to convince her to step down. Even my brother Raila did not want me to vie! I did not vie as the daughter of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, but as Ruth because I was born and bred here in Kisumu. How do you expect me not to be a politician yet a snake begets a snake? I schooled abroad but still came back here to work.

How is the job so far?

I have been fighting to cut my niche. Since the Devolution Cabinet Secretary introduced Performance Contracts in county governments, I have been in the fore front to implement it, making Kisumu County the first to sign up. I am also supposed to be in charge of coordinating the county cabinet and managed revenue collection before the executives took over. Currently I chair the county's revenue enhancement with the aim of tracing gaps from which the money is siphoned.

We need to have our roles defined so that we stop acting as shadows to the governors. The chief of staff considers himself deputy governor, same to some executives. The roles of deputies are very minimal because we are always considered to be stepping on other people's departments.

Do you share similar challenges with male deputy governors?

Female deputy governors are the most challenged. That is why we formed KNWG. I am very passionate about women issues. Realistically, we plan to have at least a third of governor positons come next elections.

It is funny that we women are used to fighting our own. We also want to come up with a sanitary pads factory to make the product affordable, and construction of a women's hospital for this region.

Tell us about your niece Rosemary Odinga. Does she want follow her father Raila in politics?

I am not aware if Rose has any intentions of joining politics. But if she does, I am going to support her. I think Rosemary has brought out a social side of herself, which I would encourage her to exploit if she is interested in politics. I think even Winnie Odinga can also make a good politician. It is a matter of how you go out and convince people for one to be a politician.