From Bomas to Parliament: Gladys Boss reflects on survival, sexism and Kenya’s future

As Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, the former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary has built a reputation for being outspoken and unflinching.

But away from the chamber, she says some of the defining moments of her career were shaped by public humiliation, political pressure and personal resilience.

Speaking on Citizen Digital’s Beyond the Headlines Show, Boss reflected on her controversial exit from the Judiciary, the tense four-day vote tallying process at the Bomas of Kenya during the 2022 General Election, navigating politics as a woman and her outlook on Kenya’s future.

“The dismissal changed my life”

Before joining elective politics, Boss served as Chief Registrar of the Judiciary until her dismissal in 2013, a decision that attracted national attention and sparked a lengthy legal battle.

Looking back, she describes the experience as one of the most difficult periods of her life, but also one that unexpectedly changed her political trajectory.

“At the time it looked like the worst thing that could happen to me. Today I think it was probably the best thing that ever happened,” she said.

The intense media attention that followed, she says, introduced her to millions of Kenyans long before she declared her political ambitions.

Rather than withdrawing from public life, Boss chose to confront the allegations publicly, appearing on television interviews and defending herself.

When she later contested for the Uasin Gishu Woman Representative seat, many voters already knew who she was.

She believes the experience strengthened her resolve and earned her a reputation for resilience, both in politics and back home, where some residents nicknamed her the “Iron Lady.”

As President William Ruto’s deputy chief agent, Boss was stationed at the Bomas of Kenya national tallying centre, where she helped verify presidential results as they arrived from across the country.

She says it was one of the most emotionally draining assignments of her political career came during the 2022 General Election.

She recalled an atmosphere filled with anxiety, suspicion and uncertainty. According to Boss, she remained inside the tallying centre for four consecutive days without returning home.

She said security concerns meant she could not move around freely, adding that officers even advised her to use escorts when leaving her workstation.

“There was no opportunity to shower or even change clothes,” she recalled, describing the experience as physically and mentally exhausting.

Boss also recounted an incident where security officers searched her vehicle over claims it contained suspicious material.

Despite the tension, she says her role remained focused on verifying physical election forms against data received by the campaign’s command centre.

Politics, she says, has often required her to confront gender stereotypes.

She believes women leaders still face condescension in public office, recalling instances where senior male politicians dismissed or patronised her.

Rather than tolerate such behaviour, she says she learned early to establish boundaries.

“If someone is disrespectful, I simply leave,” she said.

She credits confidence and self-belief for helping her navigate leadership in institutions that have traditionally been dominated by men.

Asked to rate her performance as Deputy Speaker, Boss gave herself 90 per cent, saying she remains committed to improving parliamentary debate and maintaining order in the House.

Although she belongs to the Kenya Kwanza administration, Boss spoke positively about  former opposition the late Raila Odinga, describing him as one of Kenya’s most enduring political figures.

She credited Odinga with creating opportunities for women in politics, saying he has consistently supported female candidates and adapted to Kenya’s changing political landscape.

“He’s remained relevant because he knows how to reinvent himself,” she said.

Away from politics, Boss is a grandmother and says she remains optimistic about the country’s future.

She pointed to the government’s affordable housing programme and education funding reforms as initiatives she believes could improve opportunities for young people.

At the same time, she expressed concern over the growing influence of social media on children and teenagers.

Boss argued that the spread of misinformation and prolonged screen time pose new challenges for families, calling for stronger regulation of digital platforms while balancing freedom of expression.