When you gain the title ‘first iron lady of politics’, we can only start by taking due note of your fierceness; of the fact that you are a force to reckon with. Grace Akech Onyango was raised and educated in the former Nyanza Province. She set out to pursue a career in education when she first started working but was later drawn toward politics. Grace worked as a principal at Ng’iya Women’s Teachers’ Training College, a Girl Guide Assistant Commissioner in Kisumu District, as well as the Chair of the Kisumu Branch of the Child Welfare Society. It was during this time that she met her husband.
Family life intact, Grace made her way into politics where she gained the distinction of being the first woman Mayor in independent Kenya as Mayor of Kisumu town. She then went on to be elected as a Member of Parliament. As Mayor, one of her key projects was Africanising street names in Kisumu. When she was elected Member of Parliament, there were celebrations all over Kisumu, with bulls being slaughtered and beer aplenty at Hippo Point Gardens. She had also, prior to all this, been the first woman councillor of Kisumu Central, when, where it was noted once that there had not even been a woman sweeper. Her mayoral win was unexpected and as her husband could not be the mayoress, the municipality brought an additional lady to act as her mayoress and undertake the hospitality duties that were usually the purview of the Mayor’s wife! Much celebration followed her election as mayor throughout Kisumu area. Paving way for women in leadership, Grace remained diligent throughout her role but most importantly showed that leadership was to be more intelligence-centred as opposed to gender-based.
When asked whether she would feel lost in a predominantly male government by a journalist, she said, “I have always worked fearlessly with men. And how do you expect me to feel afraid working with them this time?” Phoebe Atieno Musandu’s MA History (Miami State University) thesis titled ‘Daughter of Odoro: Grace Onyango and African Women’s History’, quotes Grace Onyango: “as a politician, I wanted to prove to the ‘just government of men’ that women can do as well if given the chance…which I think I did.”
Grace’s hard work and delivery as Mayor was key to her retaining her seat for four terms, the maximum allowable for the municipality position. Her calm debating skills in Parliament showed both her eloquence and passion for the job she had deserved and earned. In 1969 she presented herself as an MP candidate and clinched the seat over several male candidates. She went on to serve Kisumu Town in the National Assembly for 15 years. Excellence, track record and grace under pressure pays off!
We salute Mama Grace Onyango for being a political pioneer!