More women elected governors in 2022 elections

The 2022 general elections has seen more women elected in various elective positions than at any other time in history.

Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos County) and Susan Kihiki (Nakuru county), Glady Wanga (Homa Bay) are among five women who have been elected as governors for the first time in the 2022 elections. The other two are Kawira Mwangaza (Meru) and Fatuma Achani (Kwale), who has also become the first female governor in the coastal region.

Kawira Mwangaza, an independent candidate, garnered  209,148 votes to floor veteran politicians  Mithika Linturi (UDA),(183,859 votes) and Kiraitu Murungi (110,814).

In 2017, there were only three women who were elected as governors, these included Charity Ngilu (Kitui), the late Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru. Anne Waiguru has been reelected while Charity Ngilu opted to step out of the gubernatorial race in the 2022 elections.

Glady Wanga makes history as the first woman in the Nyanza region to be elected as governor after beating his closest rival former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero.

The former Women Representative got 244,559 votes against Kidero’s 154,182 votes.

Keroche CEO Tabitha Karanja (Nakuru) is also among the new female senators that have been elected in the 2022 elections.

Former Deputy president and 2022 presidential hopeful William Samoei Ruto, has in a tweet celebrating the women who have been elected.

“Congratulations to all election winners. In particular, we celebrate the many women who have broken barriers to climb the political ladder. Best wishes as you embark on your new responsibilities. Hustlers are counting on you“. Ruto said in a tweet.