Kenyans Elect Highest Number of Female Governors

At least seven of Kenya’s 47 incoming governors are women, the highest since the onset of devolution in 2013.

The number of female governors which is from the 42 confirmed county results, is a significant improvement compared with only three elected in the 2017 general election.

The seven female governor-elects are Susan Kihika (Nakuru County), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay County), Cecily Mbarire (Embu County), Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos County), Fatuma Achani (Kwale County), Kawira Mwangaza (Meru County) and Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga County).

Anne Waiguru

Waiguru managed to defend her seat on a UDA ticket after getting 113,088 votes against her closest rival independent Candidate Wangui Ngirici, who secured 105,677 votes.

Susan Kihika

Senator Kihika of UDA was declared the winner of the Nakuru governor race after getting 440,707 votes ahead of incumbent Governor Lee Kinyanjui (Jubilee), who got 225,623 votes.

Cecily Mbarire

The nominated MP clinched the Embu Governor’s seat on a UDA ticket after garnering 108,610 votes against her closest rival Lenny Kivuti who managed 105,346.

Gladys Wanga

Wanga, who contested under the ODM party thrashed former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero (independent) to bag the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat. She attained 244,059 votes against Kidero’s 152,182 votes and becomes the first female Governor in the Nyanza region.

Fatuma Achani

UDA’s Achani clinched the Kwale Gubernatorial seat with 59,674 votes, defeating ODM’s Hamadi Boga who came in second with 53,972. She becomes the first female Governor in the Coast region.

Wavinya Ndeti

Wiper party’s Ndeti was declared Machakos Governor-elect after securing 226,609 votes ahead of CCU’s Nzioka Waita who emerged second with 129,181 votes.

Kawira Mwangaza

The outgoing Meru Woman Representative trounced incumbent Kiraitu Murungi to win the Meru governor’s seat, having secured 209,148 votes.