Shattering the glass ceiling: Kenyans elect highest number of female governors

As the results of the August 9 General Election trickle in, 7 women have managed to clinch the hotly-contested Governor positions across the 47 counties in Kenya.

In some counties, the female contestants routed male political titans.

This number is an improvement to that witnessed in the 2017 General Election, when 3 women made history to become the first female Governors.

Female Governors-elect in 2022 include;

Anne Waiguru

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

In her first term, Waiguru made history after being among the first women to be elected as Governor under the new constitution.

The Kirinyaga Governor race also proved to be a ‘women affair’ and a two-horse race between Waiguru and Independent Candidate Wangui Ngirici.

Ngirici also flexed her muscles in the battle for the top seat, securing 105,677 votes.

Susan Kihika

Incumbent Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika was declared the county’s Governor elect after getting 440,707 votes.

She trounced Nakuru’s second Governor Lee Kinyanjui (Jubilee), who got 225,623 votes.

In Nakuru, the Senatorial race was also won by a woman – Keroche Breweries CEO Tabitha Karanja – who collected 442,864 votes under a UDA ticket.

Cecily Mbarire

After serving as a nominated MP in the 12th Parliament, 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 managed 105,346.

She becomes the county’s first female Governor.

Gladys Wanga

In a hotly contested race with ex-Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Gladys Wanga was declared Homa Bay Governor-elect.

Wanga, who was ODM party’s flag bearer in the race attained 244,059 votes to floor her closest rival who came in second with 152,182 votes.

She becomes the first female Governor of Homa Bay County and the Nyanza region.

Fatuma Achani

UDA’s Fatuma Achani clinched the Kwale Gubernatorial seat with 59,674 votes, defeating ODM's Hamadi Boga who came in second with 53,972.

Achani becomes the first female Governor in the Coatal region after her Kilifi counterpart lost the race to Gideon Mung’aro at in closely fought race. 

Wavinya Ndeti

Former Transport CAS Wavinya Ndeti has been declared Machakos Governor-elect.

Wavinya clinched the top seat after securing 226,609 votes in a hotly contested race with Nzioka Waita who emerged second with 129,181 votes.

In Machakos, the Senatorial seat was also bagged by a woman – Agnes Kavindu.

Kawira Mwangaza

Outgoing Meru Woman Rep has been declared the County’s Governor-elect after trouncing incumbent Kiraitu Murungi.

Mwangaza took the county’s top seat after getting 209,148 votes.