Jubilation as Kenyans elect highest number of female governors

In a General Election that saw more women throw their hats in the ring than any other, we witnessed female leaders making their debut in politics while others successfully trounced male political titans. Trailblazers in their own right, women have proved that they too can make excellent leaders.

Flash-back to the 2017 General Election when three women broke the glass ceiling by becoming the first female governors in the history of Kenya.

Even as results continue to trickle in from the 47 counties in Kenya, we already have a record seven women who have already been declared winners in the hotly-contested gubernatorial positions.

We take a look at the female governors-elect in this year’s General Election:

Kawira Mwangaza

The outgoing Meru Woman Representative successfully trounced seasoned politician, Kiraitu Murungi to become governor-elect Meru County.

Mwangaza who was vying as an Independent candidate came top after she garnered 209,148 votes.

Susan Wakarura Kihika

Incumbent Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika trounced Nakuru’s Governor Lee Kinyanjui (Jubilee), who got 225,623 votes against Kihika’s 440,707 votes.

Kihika was vying under a UDA ticket.

Fatuma Achani

The new governor-elect, Fatuma Achani clinched the Kwale gubernatorial seat after garnering 59,674 votes.

Achani of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) beat Hamadi Boga of ODM who came second with 53,972 votes.

Anne Waiguru

Anne Waiguru managed to successfully defend her seat on a UDA ticket after getting 113,088 votes.

The Kirinyaga Governor will commence her second term. Waiguru was among the first women to be elected as governor under the new Constitution during her first term.

Wavinya Ndeti

Former Transport CAS Wavinya Ndeti is Machakos governor-elect.

Wavinya garnered 226,609 votes in a hotly-contested race with Nzioka Waita who emerged second with 129,181 votes.

Cecily Mbarire

Cecily Mbarire is now Embu’s governor-elect. Mbarire who contested on a UDA ticket garnered 108,610 votes against her closest rival Lenny Kivuti who garnered 105,346 votes.

Mbarire becomes the county’s first female governor.

Gladys Wanga

Glady Wanga becomes the first female governor of Homa Bay County after trouncing former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero.

Wanga, vying under ODM garnered 244,059 votes to floor her closest rival who came in second with 152,182 votes.