Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has opposed calls to remove the woman representative post.
The seat is among the three introduced by the Constitution of Kenya 2010; the constitution created the governor, senator and woman representative seats, adding to the ward representative, member of parliament and the presidential seats.
In the recent past, some quarters have been pushing to have the woman rep position removed from among the elective seats owing to its apparent inconsequential nature when it comes to representation and lawmaking.
Those against the position argue it only bloats the wage bill and overburdens the taxpayer with zero returns.
However, Wamuchomba says the seat is important as it sparks the political leadership journey for women.
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Having been the second woman representative for Kiambu county elected in 2017, Wamuchomba attributed her political career to the seat.
She acknowledged that challenges come when the electorate rewards undeserving personalities with the post.
"I’m a beneficiary of the Affirmative Action seat in 2017. I didn't have much muscle to punch politically. It was my springboard to spring back in 2022, and by the Grace of God, I did. I was elected competitively as a single Constituency Member. I defeated men, but that doesn't make me a man! I'm a woman who found favour with voters. Don't scrap the position of women's representative, it's a river mouth to many successful women MPs and governors. Just don't elect cake matrons and dance hall queens and expect them to get affirmed… to what? You only affirm positive traits. Not dance moves and Kitenge fashion," she said.
The seat was established to increase the representation of women in the National Assembly amid the challenges around the two-thirds gender rule.
Despite the constitutional intervention, the gender balance has remained a challenge in the Kenyan legislature as the electorate entrusts more male politicians with the seats.
