As the clock ticks towards the August 9, General Election, 9 women politicians have secured certificates from various political parties to run for the previously male-dominated governorship position in the coming elections.
Some of the nine women leaders were given direct tickets by their respective political formations while only one went through the tedious competitive nomination process to secure her ticket.
Apart from those who will be running under political parties, Kirinyaga Women Representative Purity Ngirici will be contesting as an independent candidate in her attempt to dislodge Governor Waiguru from the helm of Kirinyaga County.
Since the inception of the devolved units in 2013, only three women leaders have contested and defeated their male counterparts in the position is regarded as the second most powerful political position after the presidency.
The only women who have managed to trounce their male counterparts for the governor seat are the late Joyce Laboso of Bomet county, Charity Ngilu of Kitui, and Ann Waiguru of Kiranyaga county.
The most recent one is Governor Ann Kananu of Nairobi County, who was sworn in after the impeachment of Mike Sonko but she will not be defending her seat after Jubilee endorsed Polycarp Igathe.
Even though Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua had expressed interest in the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat, her ambition is not yet clear as it is rumored might be picked as presidential running mate to the ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Kivumbi.co.ke looks at the list of women leaders who have already secured a ticket for the gubernatorial race.
- Ann Waiguru. UDA. Kirinyaga County
- Purity Ngirici. Independent. Kirinyaga County
- Susan Kihika. UDA. Nakuru County
- Charity Ngilu. NARC. Kitui County
- Aisha Jumwa. UDA. Kilifi County
- Wavinya Ndeti. Wiper. Machakos County
- Cecil Mbarire. UDA. Embu County
- Gladys Wanga. ODM. Homa Bay County
- Fatuma Achani. UDA. Kilifi County
