NAIROBI, Kenya – “Thank you, Hon. Millie, for taking time to meet with me. It was truly an honour and a privilege to share in your company and sip from the wealth of wisdom, experience and insight that you so generously offered.”
These were the exact words of Nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri Nyaituga Anyieni after she met Millie Odhiambo, the outspoken MP of Suba North Constituency.
“I am grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to reading your book, ‘Rig or Be Rigged.’ Thank you once again, and God bless you,” added Senator Okenyuri.
Following their meeting, the youthful senator described the Minority Whip or as she fondly calls herself, the “bad girl”, Millie Odhiambo, as a force to reckon with.
“She often says that good girls never get the corner office; whether that proposition is true remains debatable, but her own journey stands as evidence that boldness, determination and an unapologetic commitment to one’s convictions can indeed propel them to the highest of places,” explained Okenyuri.
Senator Okenyuri’s track record in Parliament
Senator Okenyuri made headlines as one of the youngest senators serving in the Kenyan Parliament following her nomination to the Senate by the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
She is highly active within the legislature, having made hundreds of contributions on the floor. Her primary roles include serving as the Vice Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialisation, and Tourism.
Additionally, she is a Committee Member serving on both the Senate Standing Committee on Health and the Powers and Privileges Committee.
Her leadership roles include acting as the Deputy Secretary-General for the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association and the Planning Secretary for the Kenya Women Senators Association.
“Today, I had the distinct privilege of engaging with this extraordinary woman whose political trajectory continues to inspire many, particularly women seeking to navigate the complex terrain of public leadership and the murky waters of politics,” added the Senator.
Millie Odhiambo often makes headlines when she makes bold remarks.
MP Millie Odhiambo’s rise to political stardom
“Because I know my worth. If it’s here, I don’t need anybody to rank me; I can rank myself. I know how I perform on legislation, representation and oversight,” said Millie Odhiambo, now serving her fourth term in Parliament.
But rising from Homa Bay County as a young girl to being one of Kenya’s fearless politicians in a male-dominated field wasn’t easy.
“For the younger ones who are doing their first term, Mr Speaker, if they are good girls, they will never get the corner office. Be as bad as Millie Odhiambo, and you will be the mother of this House. I’m a bad girl, and as a bad girl, I am here serving my fourth term.”
With her fearless, outspoken nature and sharp wit, she makes these remarks not because she is disrespectful but because she is fearless enough to speak truth where women are told to keep quiet.
“Her story resonates deeply with me because she too began her parliamentary journey as a nominated Member in 2007 before the advent of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. Yet she did not remain limited to that space,” stated Senator Okenyuri.
Senator Okenyuri’s Bills in the Senate
Okenyuri further observed that through consistency and hard work, Millie Odhiambo transitioned into elective politics, winning the Mbita parliamentary seat and subsequently securing the confidence of her Suba North constituents over successive terms.
“To crown our meeting, she graciously gifted me a copy of her book. I consider it more than just a book; it is a practical guide to the realities of Kenyan politics, offering valuable insights into the unwritten rules of the political arena,” explained Senator Okenyuri.
Okenyuri has primarily sponsored two major pieces of legislation in the Senate, including the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood) Bill, 2023 and the County Civic Education Bill, 2024.
She emphasised that Millie Odhiambo’s book underscores the importance of resilience, perseverance and the delicate balance between ethical principles and the often-harsh realities of political life.
Inside MP Millie Odhiambo’s book
The Senator indicated that for her it was truly an honour to learn from one of Kenya’s most accomplished legislators: a decorated parliamentarian, a trailblazer and a woman whose story continues to inspire generations of leaders.
It should be noted that Millie Odhiambo, a human rights lawyer, has never lost any elections since she joined elective politics in 2013, a move that makes her stand out as the longest-serving female MP in Kenya’s 13th Parliament.
Through her book, “Rig or Be Rigged”, Millie gives women lessons on how to overcome political obstacles and rise to power. She encourages women to work independently of political parties and build credibility through community engagement, a model she calls “the lone ranger”.
Her message is simple: Be firm and never trade your dignity for favours. And so, love her or hate her, Millie Odhiambo has proven one thing: being a ‘bad girl’ can mean being brave enough to break the rules that hold women back.
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