National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei, one of the #Top100Kenyans2022, never envisioned herself as being a high-ranking official in President William Ruto’s government.
According to the former Registrar of Judiciary, her focus was on delivering the presidency for her coalition - Kenya Kwanza.
Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke on Monday, November 28, Shollei revealed that being the deputy speaker of the National Assembly was not her long-term plan, she was focused only on her legislative duties.
“ I was so caught up in our candidate winning the presidency that I never thought of any position, I just knew we had to win the election first before we can think of anything else,” she remarked.
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She reflected that it was after their coalition clinched the presidency and won the Supreme Court battle that her colleagues encouraged her to go for the deputy speaker's position.
“We spoke to a few friends and they commended my legislative work and suggested that parliament was a place for me, I thus spoke to my party members after which I was endorsed by both the party leader and deputy, “ she revealed.
The firebrand legislator however intimated that the ruling coalition's journey to the top was not as smooth as they imagined.
Boss, recalled how they transformed into the famous “tanga tanga” squad that supported the candidature of the current President.
“ I was part of the Inua Mama Jenga Taifa Movement that moved around the country not only promoting empowering women but also galvanising their support around Ruto,” she remembered.
Her objection to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was prominent in her campaign terming it “unconstitutional”.
She asserted that the constitutional amendment process was being pushed with total disregard of the law.
Boss, who is serving as Uasin Gishu Woman Representative for a second term, was de-whipped by her party (Jubilee) as the Chairperson of the delegated legislation committee following her stance on BBI. The initiative was a brainchild of the former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
However, she does not regret defending the character and image of the President and as a leader, she felt she owed the people the right information.
“We came in to protect his name and image, and as a leader, I owed it to the people who elected me to ensure they have the right information, that is also part of how you run a campaign machinery,” she stated.
Boss, a seasoned Advocate of the High Court, is passionate about her work as she represents the people of Uasin Gishu County.
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