The rise of Kenyan women: History says they are good political leaders

Caroline Anyango, 30, harvesting sand at river in Migori County. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]

A man may be proud of his mother but demean his wife. A man may adore his daughter but suppress a female colleague. What is it about the mother and the daughter that attracts exaltation? What is it about a wife and a colleague that attracts minimisation?

One of the responses to this question is power. A mother and a daughter often pose little threat to the power status of the man. But a wife and the female colleague can stand in the man's line of power, evoking hostility. A question is often asked: What is the uniqueness of women? What is the different thing they bring to the table?