Wamuchomba reveals why she dislikes ‘iron lady’ tag
By Mabonga Makhanu, August 5, 2025Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has come out strongly to reject the popular “iron lady” label often associated with women in leadership.
Speaking during an interview on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Wamuchomba said she does not identify with the title and prefers to be known for her softer, family-oriented side.
She described herself as a mother and a wife, emphasising that she is a submissive woman who values her marriage and enjoys the love and support of her husband.
“I am not an Iron Lady. I am a mother; I am a wife. I am a very submissive wife, by the way. I am a married woman, and I am one of those who enjoy my marriage, and I am loved.” Wamuchomba stated.
She explained that adopting titles such as “iron lady” sends the wrong signal, especially to male colleagues in leadership, who may feel intimidated.
According to her, many men resist any perception that places women above them, and being labelled as iron-willed or overly dominant can become a political disadvantage.
Role of a woman
Wamuchomba noted that her success in politics is partly due to her understanding of how to navigate political spaces while embracing her role as a woman. She added that knowing when to raise her voice or assert herself has been part of her political strategy, but she does not believe that requires projecting dominance through labels.
“I would hardly want to use the Iron Lady title because when you call yourself an iron lady, then you scare the men, and you know they don’t want any emotion that will make you look like you are on top of them, and I realised my secret in politics. For me to be able to manoeuvre in politics or to handle politics the way I do, I play the role of a woman the way it’s supposed to be played, but I know my cards; I know when to raise my voice and when to open my eyes wide,” she added.
She stated that she deliberately distances herself from titles like “Mama Simba” or “Iron Lady”, insisting that such names do not reflect who she is. Instead, she shared that many people affectionately call her “Mathee”, and for those who want to make her happy, calling her “WaRobert”, a name drawn from her husband’s, makes her feel most appreciated.
“So I ran away from that title I don’t like. People call me other titles like Mama Simba, or Iron Lady titles. You will never hear them around me. Most people call me Mathee, or if you want me to be happy, just call me Warobert, my husband’s name,” she added.
Importance of family
Wamuchomba acknowledged that her political journey would not have been possible without the unwavering support of her husband. She highlighted the importance of having the backing of one’s immediate family, especially in the demanding world of politics, where running as a front-runner without such support can be extremely difficult.
She further said that she advises women that it is not necessary to possess great power or establish oneself as a woman of vigour or a powerful figure to gain political power.
She emphasised that political power can be acquired softly and, when acquired, can be maintained for a very long time.
Using herself as an example, she described herself as an aggressive woman and a go-getter but noted that she does not necessarily have to show her claws to establish political dominance.