DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2021.v09i02.005

Pages: 63-71

Few modern women in Kenya have had as great a political impact as Alisen Chelaite, a peasant’s daughter from Kapropita who, rose to become celebrated political character and charted her ways otherwise male dominated Nakuru politics with great influence. With such elegance, wit, and historical insight, this study charts her upbringing and influences, her political career and life after politics, the impact of her policies, and her personal reputation and political legacy. The article equally features dramatis personae of significant male figures that influenced her life. On the other hand, this study examines construction of gender identity in the discourse of Chelaite and aims to make a critical examination of the direction of a contemporary female political leader. Overarching theme and question of political image and substance will run throughout holistic discussion levels of this argument. A major theme introduced in this discussion is that despite being the first female leader in Rift Valley she was antagonistic the widespread feminism that had sprouted from the Kenyan capitals. Questions will be asked in the context of determining the extent to which image and substance existed in her political character. In order to make this exposition the discussion will need to draw out and closely examine any comparisons and question Alisen changed both her political image and substance from the time when she initially entered politics to the period when she became a Cabinet Minister in the Kibaki regime.