- Deceased Joyce Laboso (Bomet), Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Ann Waiguru (Kirinyaga) were the only female governors elected in 2017.
- About 28 aspirants had expressed political interests but got knocked out in the party nominations ahead of the August poll.
Image: File
2022 is the year women scored big in Kenya.
The country registered a significant achievement in the August 9, general election with an election of seven women as governors.
This was an increase of four from the 2017 poll, a clear indication of the confidence Kenyans continue to develop on the gender.
About 28 aspirants had expressed political interests but got knocked out in the party nominations ahead of the August poll.
In the 2017 poll, only three women deceased Joyce Laboso (Bomet), Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Ann Waiguru (Kirinyaga) out of the 47 governors trounced their male counterparts in their respective races.
However, this year, those who navigated the rough path to overcome and stunned their male counterparts are Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Kawira Mwangaza (Meru), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos) and Fatuma Achani (Kwale).
Others are Cecily Mbarire (Embu) and Waiguru who successfully defended her seat.
In what was a female affair, Waiguru garnered 113,088 votes to beat her closest rival Purity Ngirici who had 105,677 votes.
Expressing his happiness over the milestone, President William Ruto affirmed his support.
“As we celebrate the inauguration of elected governors all over the country, my special congratulation message goes to all women who have been sworn in today. Them being elected to the top seat is a sure sign that even women have the ability and capacity to lead,” Ruto said.
Image: File
The president further committed to ensuring the elusive two-third gender rule is achieved during his term.
“We are going to work with Parliament to expedite the implementation of the two-third gender rule," he said during his inauguration.
Ruto said there is need to involve women in all key areas of development.
"Participation of women in our democracy does not make us lesser but greater...their role must be seen. I assure you that we will work towards this as promised in my manifesto,” he said.
During her inauguration, Kihika who was elected on a UDA ticket termed the election of more women as historic.
She however said, "we are nowhere near where we need to be."
Council of Governors' chief executive officer Mary Mwiti lauded the seven female governors saying their courage in vying and successfully clinching the positions was no mean feat.
Waiguru also said it will be an inspiring experience to share a platform with the other six female governors in the council even as she hoped that in the next election cycle, Kenyans will continue entrusting more women with the county top seats.
Mbarire, the former Runyenjes MP, narrowly won beating former senator Kenny Kivuti by just 3,364 votes.
Mwangaza defeated the current Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi managing 209,148 votes against 183,859.
In another hotly contested race, Ndeti scored 226,609 votes to be declared winner.
She was competing with former State House chief of staff Nzioka Waita who managed 129,181 votes.
In Kwale, Achani escaped humiliation garnering 59,674 votes as ODM's Hamadi Boga got 53,972.
Former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero came second with 154,182 votes as Wanga triumphed with 244,559 votes.