These are the women breaking new ground in Kenya’s politics and society, redefining what it means to be a woman.
It started when the woman in question was a little, wiry, dark-skinned girl who barely spoke English but who had the will to change the world’s attitudes towards women.
“I was young, still learning English when I ran for office,” says Sheila Chemaki, one of Kenya’s first female parliamentary candidates.
“I did not expect to win! I was so young when I campaigned.
“When it was over, I told my family and friends that I had won. They were stunned.”
Chemaki, now 35, is one of about a dozen women who have made history, by winning Kenya’s first female MP, the country’s first female minister and at least 20 other positions.
But as the country prepares for yet another election, more women are still waiting in the wings to step forward and challenge the way things are done in the political landscape.
“I went into the contest knowing there was a lot of criticism of me, but I was not discouraged. My campaign was a challenge to every single person I encountered,” she says.
“But I think we can change the culture of politics, a culture where women and political women are second-class citizens, and where we are seen as second-class citizens.
“We cannot keep changing the culture of politics, because of that we have not yet seen the full potential and potentiality of women in politics.
“I feel that we have made so far some significant breakthroughs, but we know there is more to do and we will continue to press on.”
Singer-actor and former presidential candidate Wambugu Kibwana has a very different take on her win.
“It is sad to say that the first woman to stand and win for a parliamentary seat in Kenya has turned into a victim of circumstance,” she says.
“We always expect that there will be people who will challenge for positions and we can never accept or count on that.
“Sheila Chemaki has been a victim of circumstance. Her
