Women leaders in Gusii region go up against old, socially constructed gender roles

Ms Okenyuri said that lack of identifying talents and nurturing them has been the missing link.

"What women also lack is the drive and courage to venture into the turbulent waters in the political arena. There needs to be an attitude change in our society and strive to remove prejudices against women as opposed to their male counterparts," she said.

Currently, the Gusii region has two nominated women senators, the other being Gloria Orwoba, also of UDA. ODM nominated Rene Nyakerario, a former MCA, as MP.

"Talent will not be picked if women can't take the initial step. You won't be picked from the comfort of your living room to be rewarded. Those who have been given space have proved themselves," she said.

Going forward, Ms Okenyuri said it is women in positions of service that will prove the naysayers wrong on their performance.

"It is useful for women who have benefitted from affirmative action to transit to elective space," she said.

For Nyamira Woman Rep Jerusah Momanyi, winning the seat for a second term was not easy, as she says, "I had a number of hurdles, thanks to those men who supported our cause."

Three female MCAs have been lucky to make it to the Kisii County Assembly for a second consecutive term while one got her third term in the assembly through nomination.

All the four were nominated to top up gender representation. The assembly has a total of 71 MCAs; 45 elected and 26 nominated.

In the last County Assembly of Kisii, there were 22 women nominated through the Affirmative Action top-up as is provided for in the County Government Actof 2012.

Carren Magara, Clare Obino, Bathsheba Sanaya and Isabella Nyaboke were all lucky to get back to the assembly among the 23 female MCAs who were nominated.

"By nominating women it means we are giving them space to participate at the political table to create a gender balance," said Okenyuri.

Ruth Manoti is among leaders who had the prospects to thrive in Kisii politics. She left the newsroom in 2013 and became a human rights defender and gender champion in the community through her Seeds of Hope organisation.

Last year, her bid to get nomination did not succeed, which she puts down to Gusii still being a patriarchal society. "We need to build ourselves more psychologically. Others lost their self-esteem and have huge debts," she said.

For former ODM nominated MCA Risper Masema, the journey by women to elective seats in Gusii is not easy. "I tried my hand in the parliamentary seat but the resistance even within some party officials was mind boggling. We will be back re-energised."