Kenyan Women Bloom in the Top Political positions in the County and National ladder, according to the 2022 General Elections.
In the recent past, few women in leadership held actual elective positions in Kenya despite the government introducing a constitutionally mandated gender quota rule in 2010, intending to tone down male dominance in positions of political representation and implement devolved governments.
So far, Anne Waiguru, Charity Ngilu, and the late Joyce Laboso became the first women to be elected in county governance positions by 2017, as the outgoing parliament only had 23% of seats held by women.
However, the women’s leadership flower just blossomed in the 2022 General Elections when, Deputy President contender, Martha Karua of Azimio-One Kenya Alliance made a landmark in the history of the country as the first woman contestant in the country’s top office and that might change after the official release of Presidential results.
In addition, Nakuru and Machakos gubernatorial races mark another case of leadership among Kenyan Women, as it’s a historic debut for women engaging in Political leadership in Kenya.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) says the number of registered female voters currently stands at 49%.
Additionally, women constitute 50.5% of the population, according to the 2019 census.
In the recent general polls, the Country has recorded a vast engagement of women in political representation in various posts, in the county government in the 2022 elections.
Nakuru county tops with its elective posts occupied by women; Governor Susan Kihika, Senator Tabitha Karanja, and Woman Rep Liza Chelle.
Ms. Kihika garnered 440,707 votes under a UDA ticket, edging her closest competitor and incumbent Governor Lee Kinyanjui who managed 225,623 votes.
Machakos County is following suit in the Women’s representation as Ms. Ndeti garnered 226,609 of her male opponents, while Agnes Kavindu of the Wiper Party successfully defended her senatorial seat with 155,883 votes, with Joyce Kamene Kasimbi winning the Woman Representative post.
“In this election, you voted for action and not politics as usual. We will not work for special interests, parties, and individuals but for the people of Machakos,” Wavinya said.
Other individuals who emerged winners in the political representation include:
Linet Chepkorir, 24, emerged victorious after gaining 53,934 votes, followed by Eunice Benson at 27,711, Stacey Chepkemoi at 26,808, Beatrice Tonui at 20,495, Cecilia Mutai at 16,644, Susan Koech at 12,410, and Brenda Chepngetich 11,901, to be the youngest ever elected Woman Representative of Bomet County.
“As a lady and having stayed with my mother at home for long, I know the challenges that women go through and my focus will be to support them with available resources allocated to the office,” Toto declared.
Gladys Wanga was pronounced the Governor of Homabay county early on Saturday, according to the electoral body, Wanga attained 244,059 votes to floor closest rival, former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, who came in second with 152,182 votes.
“To our worthy competitors, we ask that now that the election is over we should keep it behind us. You had an agenda for Homa Bay, we had an agenda as well. Let’s come together, let’s work together and serve the people of Homa Bay,” she said.
Beatrice Elachi, the former Nairobi County Assembly Speaker is the new Member of Parliament for Dagoretti North constituency, after she garneredn52,515 votes downing her closest competitor Elijah Oenga who got 13,620 votes.
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“In this election, you voted for action and not politics as usual. We will not work for special interests, parties, and individuals but for the people of Machakos,” she said.
This marks a historic move in Women’s representation in political leadership.
