- Drawing inspiration from her humble beginnings and fueled by an unyielding commitment to public service, Ms. Otundo has emerged as a formidable force in Kisii County.
- Motivated by the desire to create a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future for the Kisii community, Ms. Otundo made the pivotal decision to run for the county’s gubernatorial seat.
- As an aspiring governor, Ms. Otundo faced numerous obstacles and encountered skepticism from established political entities.
In the picturesque landscapes of Kisii County, nestled amidst the rolling hills and vibrant communities, a beacon of hope and determination shines brightly.
Meet Rachel Otundo, a dynamic and visionary leader whose unwavering passion for her community is propelling her on a remarkable journey to transform the political landscape as an aspiring governor.
Drawing inspiration from her humble beginnings and fueled by an unyielding commitment to public service, Ms. Otundo has emerged as a formidable force in Kisii County.
Born and raised in the heart of this closely-knit community, she possesses an intimate understanding of the challenges faced by its people, as well as a deep appreciation for its rich cultural heritage.
She is from Ibeno village, where she was born in a polygamous family, his father had seven wives; Ms. Otundo was born in the last family.
She started schooling at Ibeno Primary School and later joined St. Charles Lwanga Ichuni Girls High School, where she sat for her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and was later admitted to Tumutumu Girls High School for forms five and six.
She joined the University of Nairobi in 1985 to further her studies by undertaking a Bachelor of Arts in Land Economics, graduating with Second Upper Division.
Professional career
In 1990 Ms. Otundo secured employment in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development as a valuer.
Through the experience she gained, she qualified for higher ranks of District Lands Officer, where she worked and maintained her full-time job until the beginning of 2012.
While working in the Ministry of Lands, she was a registered member of the Kenya Institution of Surveyors, where she was mentored in the service.
Through this, she was influenced to start Otundo and Associates Valuers and Property Consultants firm, where she practices as a private valuer and a land agent.
“Once you are a professional, organize yourself and build your own office and exit service at 45 years. Leave an opportunity for others so that they can also secure employment,” said Ms. Otundo.
Political journey
Her political leadership began with her tireless advocacy for social justice and equality.
From an early age, she witnessed firsthand the disparities and systemic inequalities that hindered the progress of her beloved county.
Instead of accepting the status quo, Ms. Otundo consciously decided to be the catalyst for change.
She dedicated her life to empowering the marginalized, amplifying their voices, and championing the rights of women who, for a long time, have never been in elective positions within the male-dominated political arena.
Ms. Otundo, who hails from the vote-rich Nyaribari clan, beseeches women to use their strengths and vote in women into elective seats during political elections.
This would help to defeat the male chauvinistic society.
“I developed an interest in politics while I was in my last place of work, where I had worked for seven years.
In the station, women politicians who used to come to the office talked about politics, which triggered and motivated me to be interested in politics.
During this time, there was no devolved government; we only had a seat for the Member of Parliament,” said Ms. Otundo.
In 2008, she came out with the idea of standing as an MP for the Nyaribari Chache constituency.
Coincidentally, the dream did not come true because her elder brother also showed an interest in contesting for the same seat, thus leading her to step down to allow his elder brother to vie.
In 2012, her brother dropped out of the race. Unfortunately, it was too late for her to defend her dream and thus missed from the ballot.
“In 2013, a by-election came shortly some months after a general election. Fully encouraged, I joined the race among 10 politicians who vied in Nyaribari Chache.
I was privileged as a woman to be in position five; this motivated me a lot as I did not come last. I had defeated men who had vied before,” said Ms. Otundo.
The secret
Her leadership qualities, coupled with her ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, earned her recognition and respect within her community.
Her genuine empathy and unwavering commitment to uplifting the lives of others resonated with the citizens of Kisii County.
“While in the Ministry of Lands, I pioneered the elevation of the then-Gusii Institute of Technology to the current Kisii National Polytechnic. Along the same line, I helped the institution to acquire title deeds for the land where it is situated,” she explains.
She also vied for the Kisii County Assembly Speaker seat, where she lost by a whisker.
Motivated by the desire to create a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future for the Kisii community, Ms. Otundo made the pivotal decision to run for the position of the top seat in Kisii County in the 2022 general election.
With an unwavering vision and a comprehensive plan for the county’s development, she launched her campaign, engaging with citizens, listening to their concerns, and articulating her strategies for tackling the pressing issues that hindered progress.
And also encouraging women to vie for all the political seats.
“I moved around nine constituencies within Kisii, offering washing basins and soap to schools and boda boda stages to combat covid-19 pandemic effects,” Ms. Otundo added.
Her campaign focused on key areas such as healthcare reforms, infrastructural development, job creation, women empowerment, and environmental sustainability.
Her win would have motivated women aspiring to get into political spaces.
Note that the current statistics have it that since independence, no woman has ever been elected as a Member of Parliament in any constituency in Gusii Region (Kisii and Nyamira Counties).
“Currently, we have only one woman MCA elected in the Gusii Region, which has about 1 million registered voters,” she says.
Setbacks she encountered
As an aspiring governor, Ms. Otundo faced numerous obstacles and encountered skepticism from established political entities.
However, she persevered, undeterred by the challenges, and continued to rally the support of the people of Kisii County.
Her charisma, integrity, and proven track record of community service propelled her campaign forward, generating momentum and inspiring hope in the hearts of her supporters.
“After choosing my running mates, they were discouraged by elected politicians who had personal interests.
This made my running mates drop out of the race. It was unfortunate, being the last minute.
I was then allowed to look for a running mate within the party. This was tough for me to get one,” adds Ms. Otundo.
The path to becoming an aspiring governor was laden with countless trials, opposition, and skepticism from entrenched interests.
However, her indomitable spirit and unshakable resolve fueled her determination to surmount these challenges and realize her vision for a brighter future.
“Despite politicians trying to kill my political career, I did not lose hope. I went to the IEBC headquarters to switch the seat to vie for a women representative.
It confused my supporters, but I had to, and in the process, I campaigned with resilience, which earned me over thirty thousand votes,” explained Ms. Otundo.
Gender stereotypes and prejudice
Women often face stereotypes questioning their leadership abilities, decision-making skills, and their suitability for political roles.
Deep-seated biases and prejudices can create barriers and perpetuate the notion that politics is a male domain, making it difficult for women to gain acceptance and support.
“When I contested for the gubernatorial seat, many people didn’t like it.
They were against me, discriminating me because I was a woman. I faced battles from different spheres, but this never stopped me from chasing my dream,” added Ms. Otundo.
Limited access to resources
Women candidates face challenges in accessing financial resources, campaign funding, and political networks necessary for successful campaigns.
Limited access to resources can restrict their ability to compete on an equal footing with their male counterparts.
“I lacked support in my political journey; from the seat of Member of Parliament to the gubernatorial seat, I faced financial challenges. For instance, when I went for the top seat, I was discriminated against for being financially unstable.
Unable to get a ticket from a bigger party, I vied from a smaller party with no masses,” highlighted Ms. Otundo.
Her word
“Women have been struggling for a long time without being given an opportunity due to social and cultural issues.
Though in a male chauvinistic society, we are best and can measure up and deliver. We should be involved in the decision-making table,” says Ms. Otundo.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: Why women’s political representation matters
She also highlighted that all the time she has been in service to humanity, she believes that if the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs would ensure women are on the decision-making board nationwide, this would greatly help the great Kisii County and the entire nation.
