Millie Odhiambo: I'm doing my heart's desire

Nominated MP Millie Odhiambo, 44, is happy she has achieved her desire to champion the cause of women and children. She spoke to Rhoydah Nyambane

I have walked closely in my mother’s footsteps and, I can say she has been my source of inspiration. I am the fourth child of Mama Damaris Odhiambo and the late Harrison Odhiambo, a former Member of the Nyanza Regional Assembly. He wanted to represent the people of Mbita in Parliament in 1974, unfortunately he died in a boat accident a year before the elections, leaving my mother with six children. At the time of his death, my mother was expecting. She was blessed with twins, and the family grew to eight.

Millie and husband on their wedding day

Millie with women leaders at an ODM rally. Photos: Courtesy

However, with God’s grace, my mother took everything in her stride and saw us through school and almost all of us through university.

She taught me to take on the world when necessary as a woman. She suffered discrimination at work and fought against odds exhibiting a high degree of integrity. Since there weren’t many organisations working for women and children’s rights, she ended up doing the work done today by Fida, The Cradle, COVAW and the children’s department, single handedly. I saw her drag irresponsible violent men to court. She also helped many children access education.

She has influenced my career and lifestyle especially the social investment in women, children and the less fortunate. I do not have many memories of my father because I was very young when he died, but in a way, I am also a chip-off the old block, the politician and the social investor.

I am told my father would give away all he had to assist others.

The quest to do what I am doing was born early in life.

Initially, I wanted to be a social worker, but I ended up at the Law School by default. I have ended up doing my heart’s desire from a more advantaged position.

Being a lawyer has enabled me to intervene in cases and lobby for the enactment of laws to protect women and children such as the Sexual Offences Act, the Children’s Act and the Constitution, amongst others.

I have been involved in the constitutional process as a delegate in Bomas and eventually served in the PSC in Parliament.

The passing of the new Constitution spirals an exciting time for me. I have realised my dreams through the passage of this Constitution.

I started my professional career working at the State Law office as a State Counsel. I later worked at Fida as a legal officer advising and representing women. This job was emotionally draining as I watched women go through so much suffering. I almost quit but developed resilience. However, this made my resolve to fight for women and children’s rights stronger. I later founded The Cradle, an organisation that promotes the rights of children in 1997.

There, I ran programmes offering legal aid to children and women; mentoring young women on leadership, life-skills and career choice; advocacy and lobbying for legal reform; and working with government ministries to mainstream human rights in government. The Cradle is one my dreams that have come true.

Civic education

I joined the civil society at a time when the clamour for change was at top gear around 1996. The police clobbered me many times. A lot has changed though. When we started civic education for women, the police would attend every workshop and advice us to restrict our talk to children’s maintenance.

My desire to champion the cause of women and children saw me turn down a UN job with a huge pay because it was going to take me away from my passion.

In politics I affirm myself as Amilo Geza Geza Mrembo wa Suba. (Millie the Suba Beauty). Many ask me why I praise myself as beautiful. It shows my inner strength and belief in myself. I do not wait for others to affirm me because it may come at a price.

My time as an MP has been not without challenges. Initially I had toyed with the idea of joining politics as a nominated MP in 2002 but I shelved it. In 2007, through the urging of my brother and a friend, I formed, coordinated and mobilised campaign resources for the Western Kenya Presidential Campaign team. I did this because I believed it was time for Kenya to get change in leadership. The experience was humbling, tough but rewarding.

At one point during the campaigns, I was airlifted to Nairobi to seek medical attention on suspected case of mild stroke. The doctor said it was fatigue and recommended bed rest for one week.

Presidential elections

Up to that time, I did not nurse the thoughts of becoming an MP. All I wanted was change and hoped to go to South Africa for my PhD and be closer to my husband.

And so when things turned out as they did after 2007 presidential election, I went into depression for the first time in my life, and once again was put on bed rest. After the National Accord and the new government came into being, different parties were given slots to nominate MPs. I was one of the nominees.

I have introduced to the house the Counter Trafficking in Persons Bill and the same was passed and awaits presidential assent. I have nine other legislations on women and children but I wonder whether there will be time for them. The other thing I have learnt to my utter amusement, and, sometimes dismay is that I had more money when I was the director of The Cradle. As an MP, you pay fees, attend funerals, and build houses, amongst a myriad of other things.

As part of my strategic plan, I initiated the Maiden Institute of Leadership, Legal Innovation and Education and the Millie Institute through which I mentor girls in leadership.

I have also a project called Women and Girls Education and Development Initiative, that focuses on ensuring girls’ education especially in marginalised areas but with a special focus on Nyanza. I am a satisfied and fulfilled woman because I have achieved my core goals.

I have received accolades and awards for my work with children locally and internationally including acknowledgment by the current US President Barack Obama on his visit to Kenya in 2006, International YWCA Award, and Eve Woman of the Year Award, among others.