Manduli: Curtain falls on ‘Lioness in her Cage’
Mukalo Kwayera and PSCU
Whether by her mere presence or speech, Orie Rogo Manduli was an enviable heads-turner.
One could not wish her away, however much they tried. An elegant dresser with a high taste for colour and fashion, Manduli made her presence felt wherever she was. She was the talk of town for many years.
Curtains came down on 73-year-old Orie-Rogo yesterday afternoon at her home in Riverside, Nairobi.
Family sources said she had been in good health and had even visited a relative in Embakasi area earlier in the day and was preparing to go for a dental check-up, when she breathed her last while applying make-up.
The family sources said the outspoken politician had been admitted in hospital in July over renal complications but was discharged last month when she felt better.
She lives behind four children, three daughters from her first marriage with a Kenyan husband and a son with her second one; a Zambia kin of the country’s former President, the late Fredrick Chiluba.
Manduli was born in 1948 in Maseno, Kisumu, to a primary school headmaster (later councillor) Gordon Rogo and Zenuaith Adhiambo, a tutor at Kisumu Polytechnic.
The politician-cum-activist who once described herself as the “Lioness in her Cage” went to Ng’iya Girls High School, Butere Girls’ High School and Machakos Girls’ High School from where she immediately got married.
She later trained as a teacher but got her first employment as a personal assistant the then general manager of Kenya railways and harbours Corporation, JP Mwangola in 1973.
In 1975, Manduli took the job of marketing and public relations manager at Metal Box before later on becoming the administrative manager at the Coffee Board of Kenya.
Later in life, Manduli was the first woman to chair the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) council in the mid 1990s, a position she held amid a series of controversies and high drama.
In all her life, she exuded energy, ebullience, pragmatism, glamour, patriotism, humour and courage all wrapped into one to unrivalled levels.
Both territorial and outgoing, anduli - known for her wide colourful and sharp head-scarfs and African long dresses - loved and protected her space with great determination.
A cereal farmer based in the agriculturally-rich Trans-Nzoia county in her later years, Ms Manduli is best remembered as Kenya’s first woman to participate in the then East African Safari Rally in 1974 and 1975.
However, Manduli came to the public limelight at the age of 16 years while still a student when she was crowned Miss Kenya.
Throughout her life, Manduli dabbled in a variety of social, economic and political spheres where she stamped her footprints in each of them.
Many firsts
Controversial and outspoken, Manduli unsuccessfully contested for parliamentary seats in both Nairobi and Trans-Nzoia where she lost at the nominations stage, a feat she attributed to male chauvinism in political parties and a highly male dominated society.
President Uhuru Kenyatta mourned Manduli as a woman of many firsts and trailblazer who fought tirelessly for women empowerment.
“It is sad and unfortunate that death has taken away Mama Manduli, one of our country’s most recognizable, highly charismatic and accomplished politicians.
A bold leader and mentor. Manduli tirelessly championed for women empowerment,” the President mourned.
In the message of condolence to the family, friends and relatives, the President said the Manduli was a fearless, bold and practical leader who always spoke her mind.
He recalled the late Manduli’s exploits as a sports woman and model, saying Kenyans will forever cherish her achievement as the first African woman Safari Rally driver, a feat she achieved when she took part in the 1974 edition alongside her late co-driver Sylvia Omino.
On her signature attire and head gear, the Head of State said the Manduli fully embraced the African culture and was a recognized fashion icon and trendsetter.
“Her trademark African print attire and prominent head gear made her one of Africa’s most recognizable personalities,” the President recalled.
And more tributes poured in following her demise.
@TheODMparty: A beautiful soul has rested. A woman who inspired other women to work hard and grow. The first woman rally driver, a former Miss Kenya, a lover of fashion, a straight talker and a politician.
We join the rest of the country in mourning the death of Amb. Manduli. May she RIP.
@MillicentOmanga: Orie Rogo Manduli is one of the Kenyan women trailblazers on whose shoulders we proudly stand on.
Her demise is definitely a huge loss to all of us, but her rich legacy; one that spans decades and glitters with successes of women she mentored and inspired, endures.
@WilliamsMkenya: It’s sad to hear the demise of a legend, a true ICON! Kenya’s first woman rally driver, a fashionista, a role model to many young women. Rest well Manduli. May God comfort the family at this hard time.
@Gov_khaemba: I have learned with profound sorrow, the passing on of Manduli. Manduli was a bold, focused and ardent political leader who contributed immensely to the fight for women’s rights and the second liberation for this country.
@ShahbalTeam: Our sincere condolences to the family friends and the women of this country following the passing of a women rights champion Manduli.
