Kenya has nurtured many international programmes supporting women through the UN, USAID, Private sector or NGOs. However, the struggle for female leadership has been an elusive desire for many. Nonetheless, the recently concluded general elections in Kenya saw a substantial increase in women’s representation. As a result, several female leaders made a comeback to Kenyan politics. Apart from the 47 women representative seats reserved for women only, they also managed to clinch other top leadership positions.
Seven women were elected to the governorship in the August 9th elections. They are the CEOs of Embu, Homabay, Kirinyaga, Kwale, Machakos, Meru, and Nakuru counties.
I’ve discussed more of these powerful and influential women in this article below. You will also find the 47 elected women representatives. But first, what led to the increase in female leaders? And what are the implications of women’s leadership to Kenyan women, girls, and the country?
Related article: 10 Great Women in African History
Why female leaders made a comeback in Kenyan politics
Here are some reasons why I believe female leaders have made a comeback in Kenyan politics:
Political will
There are more women politicians in Kenya today than at any other time in History. Women leaders have increased in Kenyan politics due to political will. But what does political will even mean? It is;
The firm intention or commitment of a government to carry through a policy, especially one that is not immediately successful or popular.
Oxford English Dictionary
Some influential politicians who came earlier took the initiative to bring more women into leadership positions. The political actors committed their energy, time, and funds to changing women’s representation in Kenya.
For example, Kenyan parliamentarians have pushed hard to implement the two-thirds gender rule. The rule states that two-thirds of all elected and appointed leaders must not be of the same gender.
For instance, four months before the August elections, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (the IEBC) warned political parties to adhere to the two-thirds gender rule.
Women empowerment organizations
There are several women empowerment organizations in Kenya. Some of the organizations are funded by the national government, and most of them are NGOs.
Here are some influential women empowerment organizations in Kenya which played an essential role in the female leader’s comeback in Kenyan politics:
- Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAWKENYA)
- Team Kenya
- Women Empowerment in Kenya Organization (WEIKE)
- The Girl Generation
- GROOTS Kenya
These organizations have different missions but focus primarily on empowering girls and women. These women empowerment organizations operate in various parts of the country, increasing women’s access to education, credit facilities, market opportunities, and political participation. Such knowledge increase confidence and economic participation.
As a result, Kenyan women better understand the need for further education and its position in policy and decision-making. Therefore, more and more women vied for positions than before in Kenyan politics.
Gender equality
According to USAID, Kenya was number 95 out of 156 globally in 2021 in gender equality. Although gender bias is still rampant in Kenya, the government and non-governmental institutions have put measures to curb gender inequality in politics.
For instance, the devolved government provisions in Chapter 11 of the Kenyan Constitution allowed the creation of 47 women representative positions in all the Kenyan Counties. This allowed more women to participate and have experience in politics. Thus they vied for more competitive and male-dominated positions.
The voters expect the women leaders to pass legislation protecting the country’s vulnerable women and adolescent girls. Female politicians should also tighten the noose for harmful cultural beliefs and attitudes such as gender-based violence.
Educating, Reskilling, And Upskilling Women
If you educate a man, you educate an individual; but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation
African proverb
Several education institutions have sprouted nationwide to educate, reskill, and upskill women. Despite their age, women can attend lessons to acquire an entirely new skill for a different job or learn new technologies in their existing jobs.
The women and girls without jobs are educated on various economic activities and are provided with the resources to jumpstart their careers. Educating, reskilling, and upskilling Kenyan women have been core to their comeback to Kenyan politics.
In short, female leaders have made a comeback in Kenyan politics due to strong political will and improvement in gender equality. Women empowerment organizations have also been instrumental in educating, reskilling, and upskilling Kenyan women, giving them the knowledge and confidence to vie for male-dominated positions.
Read also: Top 10 Moat Influential African Women.
Women’s leaders in the 2022-2027 Kenyan politics
In Kenya, a governor is the CEO of the second largest territorial division (County) after the country. Note that Kenya comprises 47 counties, and only three of the 47 governors were women in 2017. However, female leaders have made a comeback in Kenyan politics.
Here are the seven governors in the 2022-2027 Kenyan parliament:
| Governor | County |
| Cecily Mbarire | Embu |
| Gladys Wanga | Homabay |
| Anne Waiguru | Kirinyaga |
| Fatuma Achani | Kwale |
| Wavinya Ndeti | Machakos |
| Kawira Mwangaza | Meru |
| Susan Kihika | Nakuru |
Kenya is one of the best African nations where democracy and women’s representation are taken seriously.
Here is a summary of the female leaders in Kenyan politics, including MCAs, MPs, and Senators:
| Female leaders in Kenya | Region |
| Agnes Kavindu Muthama | Machakos |
| Amina Dika Abdullahi | Tana River |
| Beatrice Adagala | Vihiga |
| Beatrice Kemei | Kericho |
| Betty Maina | Murang’a |
| Caroline Ngelechei | Elgeyo Marakwet |
| Cecilia Asinyen | Turkana |
| Christine Ombaka | Siaya |
| Cynthia Jepkosgei Muge | Nandi |
| Dorice Toto Aburi | Kisii |
| Fatuma Masito | Kwale |
| Fatuma Mohamed | Migori |
| Gertrude Mwanyanje | Kilifi |
| Gladys Sholei | Uasin Gishu |
| Esther Passaris | Nairobi County |
| Elizabeth Karambu | Meru |
| Elsie Muhanda | Kakamega |
| Irene Kasalu | Kitui |
| Rahab Mukami | Nyeri |
| Rose Museo | Makueni |
| Liza Chelule Chepkorir | Nakuru |
| Linet Chepkorir (youngest) | Bomet |
| Lydia Haika | Taita Taveta |
| Jerusha Momanyi | Nyamira |
| Joyce Kamene | Machakos |
| Muthoni Marubu | Lamu |
| Ruth Odinga | Kisumu |
| Jane Kagiri | Laikipia |
| Umulkheir Kassim | Mandera |
| Naomi Jillo Wako | Marsabit |
| Faith Gitau | Nyandarua |
| Lillian Chebet Siyoi | Trans Nzoia |
| Njeri Maina | Kirinyaga |
| Pauline Lenguris | Samburu |
| Rael Aleutum Kasiwai | West Pokot |
| Rebecca Tonkei | Narok |
| Susan Ngugi | Tharaka Nithi |
| Fatuma Abdi Jehow | Wajir |
| Zamzam Mohammed | Mombasa |
What is expected of the female leaders in Kenya?
Here are some of the things Kenyan voters expect from female leaders:
- They should provide better mentorship to women and girls
- Female leaders in Kenya should close the gap in gender pay
- They should create policies against gender-based violence and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
- Liaise with women empowerment organizations to educate, reskill, and upskill women and girls
- Pass legislation for gender equality
- Start foundations and offer scholarships to smart Kenyan girls from poor backgrounds
Conclusion
The female leader’s return to Kenyan politics is just the beginning. If the female politicians consider the recommendations above, more women leaders will make a comeback in future Kenyan politics.
And as the saying goes, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual; but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.” Our female politicians should work smart because they will be a case study and a motivation for the coming generations.
