This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
Millie Odhiambo, a three-time MP, has opened up about her journey with childbearing, saying it's not an issue that defines her. In an interview published on The Star on September 3, 2019, she shared her story.
According to Odhiambo, not having a child has been both by choice and not by choice. She explained that she loves children and has dedicated her career to fighting for their rights, but her personal circumstances have made it challenging for her to conceive.
Odhiambo revealed that she had fibroids, a condition that was diagnosed in 2001 in New York but only surgically removed in 2006. She also experienced extremely painful monthly periods and heavy menses, which often required hospitalization.
Another factor that worked against her conceiving naturally was her long-distance relationship with her husband. They were both engaged in their careers and felt it would be unfair to sacrifice their engagements to be in one place.
Odhiambo emphasized that she has always believed that having or not having a child is not what defines her. She urged women to rise above the stigma surrounding childlessness and not let it define their self-worth.
When asked about Mike Sonko's attack on her over her inability to conceive, Odhiambo responded, 'For an idiot like Sonko who does not know me, the joke was on him. In fact, I think I'm wired differently, not like other women. If you tell me I'm childless, it is like you are saying I have breasts. It makes no difference at all.'
