The death of Chelagat Mutai has left her Terige rural home in Nandi County in a somber mood as friends and relatives recount her vibrant past. Villagers thronged the homestead to join the family in mourning the death of one of the community’s leading women politicians.
Philomena Chelagat Mutai, the former Eldoret North Member of Parliament, passed away on July 6, 2013, at the age of 64. She was a pioneering figure in Kenyan politics and a staunch advocate for human rights and social justice.
Early Life and Political Rise
Born in 1949 in Terige village, Nandi County, Chelagat Mutai became the youngest person ever elected to the Kenyan Parliament at the age of 25 in 1974. She won the Eldoret North seat, defeating 11 male candidates.
Her election was historic, not only because of her age but also because she was the first Kalenjin woman to serve in Parliament.
She was also one of the ‘Seven Bearded Sisters,’ a group of MPs known for their vocal opposition to the government of President Jomo Kenyatta.
Advocacy and Persecution
Mutai was a fierce critic of the government, advocating for the rights of marginalized communities.
In 1976, she was imprisoned for two and a half years after inciting squatters in Ziwa, Uasin Gishu, to occupy land they had purchased but had not been allowed to settle on. Her activism led to her exile in Tanzania in 1981 to escape political persecution.
Later Years and Health Challenges
After returning to Kenya in 1984, Mutai kept a low profile, occasionally rejoining the Kenya African National Union (KANU) and working in various capacities, including at the Kenya Commercial Bank. However, her health declined after a 2006 road accident that left her wheelchair-bound.
She lived in modest conditions, relying on friends and well-wishers for support. In 2011, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga facilitated her admission to the Spinal Injury Hospital in Nairobi for treatment.
Legacy
Chelagat Mutai’s death marked the end of an era in Kenyan politics. She remains a trailblazer for women in leadership and a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. Her contributions to the fight for democracy and human rights continue to inspire generations.
