I was surprised when Mwai Kibaki appointed me as minister, says Jebii Kilimo

Linah Jebii Kilimo. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

When the late President Mwai Kibaki took over power in 2002, he re-wrote the history of a patriarchal Rift Valley community after appointing Linah Jebii Kilimo as a Cabinet Minister.

Mrs Kilimo who surprisingly won the Marakwet East parliamentary seat in 2002 was unexpectedly appointed a Minister in the Office of the Vice President and Home Affairs, a move that propelled a little-known female MP to the top echelons of power.