NAIROBI, Kenya- As the new Meru governor settles into office, the impeached and embattled former county chief will be left to reckon with the weight of her turbulent tenure—and what could have been.
Alongside Kawira Mwangaza’s tumultuous reign—marked by three impeachment attempts—a number of dreams may have quietly died.
For some women who once considered entering politics, the bitter spectacle of her fall from grace likely extinguished those ambitions, especially given the skeletons her impeachment process unearthed.
Being subjected to impeachment even once is no small ordeal—three times, however, is extraordinary. It underscores the immense challenges that continue to face women daring to step into the male-dominated political arena.
The fears that have long deterred women from vying for office remain stubbornly intact.
Hostility from the community. Personal vendettas masquerading as political accountability. Prejudiced and bigoted rivals.
A society steeped in chauvinism. These factors still conspire to make the path to leadership for women treacherous and exhausting.
Mwangaza’s time at the helm twisted noses out of shape and deprived many of sleep.
Her leadership was dogged by countless accusations, yet it is striking—though perhaps not surprising—that few, if any, female politicians publicly addressed her ordeal.
Silence, in this case, may have been a form of self-preservation; after all, no one wants to invite unwanted attention in a space where words can become weapons.
Still, this silence is troubling. The political space for women remains fragile, as evidenced by the low number of elected female leaders.
Despite calls for inclusion and equity, many women are still relegated to ‘maybe’ roles, as if the world isn’t quite ready for them to hold real power. Yet a politician is a politician—regardless of gender.
Female politicians, however, face disproportionate scrutiny and are often held to higher standards than their male counterparts.
While demanding accountability is necessary, gender should never be the yardstick by which performance is measured.
Mwangaza’s downfall won’t be the last of its kind, but her journey forces us to ask—was it all worth it?
A woman who leapt over so many hurdles, only to watch it all crumble. Her story is a stark reminder of the cost of breaking into politics as a woman—and the price of trying to stay.
