In Kenya women in politics have triumphed and edged closer to closing down the gender gap in leadership by securing a greater number of political seats in the recently concluded General election.
Martha Karua having been eyed to represent women in a higher post in office as the first Female Deputy President, however, other women emerged in the County level leadership.
Of those elected, seven female governors are at the forefront of championing for inclusion of women in the new Kenyan government.
We take a look at the seven governors and the educational background that made them the triumphant women they are today;
1. Anne Waiguru
Waiguru, who successfully secured her Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat, started off her education at Nairobi River Primary school.
She later joined Precious Blood Girls High School Riruta where she sat her O-level exams in 1987, and later went on to Moi Forces Academy for her A-levels, where she studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
The former Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning then joined Egerton University where she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Home Economics before joining the University of Nairobi for her Master’s degree in the same field.
2. Susan Kihika
The elected Governor of Nakuru county attended Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls High School, also known as BeeGee. Kihika started her education at Busara Forest View Academy in Nyahururu county.
She later moved to the United States after completing her secondary school education, to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
In 2006, Kihika graduated with a Juris degree from Southern Methodist University in Texas before returning to Kenya.
In 2012, Kihika vied for the Bahati parliamentary constituency seat but conceded, her determination propelled her to serve as the first female County Assembly Speaker for Nakuru county and then later win the 2017 Senate seat.
3. Kawira Mwangaza
Kawira Mwangaza, is the first female governor-elect of Meru County, she went to Moyale Girls High School in the then North Eastern province.
She then went on to join Makerere College in Uganda where Mwangaza studied Human Resource Management, graduating in 2009.
Mwangaza also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Uganda-based Kampala Global College.
Cecily Mutitu Mbarire the first female governor-elect of Embu County, attended Sacred Heart Kyeni Girls High School in her home county.
Marie later joined Nakuru-based Egerton University where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.Mbaririe also earned a Diploma in Gender and Development Studies from the University of Nairobi.
4. Wavinya Ndeti
Governor-elect Machakos county Wavinya Ndeti, Studied at The Kenya High School while her education background started at Mount-Saint Mary’s Primary School where she attained her Primary Education certificate.
Wavinya went on to join United Kingdom-based South Bank University where she took a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
5. Gladys Wanga
Gladys Atieno Wanga went to Kisumu Girls High School, where she showcased her leadership qualities by serving as the School Head girl.
Her passion for advocacy for social justice erupted when Wanga was once suspended while at Kisumu Girls High School.
Gladys joined Kenyatta University for her tertiary education, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Health Management later Gladys went on to earn a Masters’s degree in the same discipline from KU.
The vocal politician made a landmark when she was later elected to the KU Students Body as the first female Secretary General.
6. Fatuma Achani
The Kwale County Deputy Governor, Fatuma Achani, who served from 2013 to 2022 under the leadership of Salim Mvurya, went to Kingwede Primary School for her education journey.
Achan successfully managed to join Mombasa-based Mama Ngina Girls Secondary School where she soared higher emerging among the top candidate in the National exams.
Her exemplary performance at the Secondary level earned her a place at Moi University where she studied for a Bachelor’s degree in Law.
She later joined the Kenya School of Law for a diploma course.
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Achan has previously worked at the Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) law firm in Mombasa.
7. Cecily Mbarire
Has been elected as the first female Embu governor, winning with 108,610 votes on a UDA ticket.
She defeated former Senator Lenny Kivuti of the DEP party who got 105,246 votes.
Mbarire who was a nominated MP and also former MP for Runyenjes constituency in Embu .
Cecily vied in 2007 on a PNU ticket and in 2013 she retained that seat on The National Alliance (TNA) party ticket. From 2002 to 2007 Mbarire was a nominated MP in Narc.
Since 2013, she has been the chairperson of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (Kewopa).
From 2002 to March 2013 Mbarire was the secretary of Kewopa.
From December 2005 to December 2007, she was an assistant minister in the Ministry of Transport.
From April 2008 to March 2013 , Mbarire was an assistant minister for Tourism in the Grand Coalition Government.
