17-year-old Mary Georgia Onyango had the chance of a lifetime to conduct a mock sitting of The National Assembly to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.
She had the opportunity to interact with Members of the Education Committee in a session that was televised live by Bunge TV.
Onyango was dressed in a complete replica of the Speaker’s regalia and made to sit in his chair.
The form three student also got to present a petition to the House, urging the legislators to promote equal opportunity for both girls and boys.
"On issues of gender-based violence, cases should be fast-tracked to ensure justice is served. It is not safe for girls to live among offenders of serious crimes like defilement and rape once they are released on bail," read her petition.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi confirmed that it met the requirements of the standing orders of the House.
It was a rare opportunity as Parliamentary Standing Orders don't allow anyone who is not a member inside the Chambers.
Non-members are termed as strangers and are only supposed to follow proceedings from inside the public gallery.
The MPs were enchanted by the eloquence of the young girl and emphasised that it was time Parliament took issues of the girl-child seriously.
In Kenya, it is still a major struggle for women to access leadership positions, because of socio-cultural settings that shape gender roles.
