Raila: If your wife is more successful than you, support her
By Arnold Ngure, August 8, 2025ODM Party leader Raila Odinga has urged men living with more successful wives to escape from the temptation of being envious and rather support their wives.
Speaking during the burial of the former Karachuonyo MP Phoebe Asiyo on Friday, August 8, 2025, Raila observed that men should resist the urge to stifle the greatness of their spouses just to feel secure.
“As a man, when your wife wields more power than you, do not be envious; support her instead. Set her free to achieve greatness,” Raila said.
Tarnishing female politicians
He stated that it was common for gossipers to come with all manner of allegations to besmirch the character of a more successful woman, to her husband, to make them part ways.
“Some of the men complain when their wives are more successful than they are. Other people also come in to spread rumours that the wife could be cheating, when she is not,” Raila stated.
“I want you to give your more successful wives a chance and let them thrive.”
He revealed that Phoebe Asiyo lived together with her husband despite having been more popular and politically successful than him.
“Asiyo was a great supporter of Phoebe during her days in politics, and that unity has uplifted this family to where it is,” Raila said.
Trailblazer in women’s involvement
Mourned as a trailblazer in championing women’s rights, Phoebe Asiyo was among the first women legislators in the post-independent Kenyan parliament.
Before entering elective politics, Asiyo made history in 1958 as the first African woman to become president of the Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation, where she championed economic empowerment for women.
She continued to break barriers as the first African woman appointed Senior Superintendent of Women’s Prisons in 1963.
Asiyo’s parliamentary journey began in 1980 when she was elected to represent the Karachuonyo Constituency, a seat she held until 1983.
After the reintroduction of the multi-party system, she was re-elected in 1992 and served until 1997, distinguishing herself as one of the longest-serving female parliamentarians of her time.