AFRICA. Kenya: The just concluded elections in Kenya have seen the reign of more women in the country’s politics as seven women were elected governors, three as senators and 26 as members of parliaments (MPs)
According to records, the female gender grabbed seven out of 47 guber seats, three of 47 senate seats as well, and 26 out of 290 MP seats.
Patriarchy has ever since dominated the country’s politics with a few women in corridors of power. But the August 9 elections challenged the status quo and changed the narrative accordingly.
For Instance, in the Rift Valley of Nakuru County, women were elected into various offices, including the governor, senator and woman representative. Susan Kihika, Tabitha Karanja and Liza Chelule claimed those seats.
“Now sit and watch and see what women can do in office,” said newly elected senator Karanja. She runs Kenya’s second largest brewery Keroche Breweries Ltd.
On her part, Governor Kihika thanked the voters of Nakuru “for being progressive and electing three women to the leadership of this county”.The trio are party stalwarts [United Democratic Alliance party] of the president-elect William Ruto who hailed their wins.
“We celebrate the many women who have broken barriers to climb the political ladder. Best wishes as you embark on your new responsibilities,” Ruto tweeted on Saturday as results were being announced.
The Elections And How Gender Balance Played Out
Kenyans voted in six elections, that is, the presidential, senatorial, gubernatorial, lawmakers, and women representatives including other 1,500 country officials.
Apart from Ruto, the rest of the presidential candidates had females as running mates including his major contender, Raila Odinga, who flagged Martha Karua, the former Justice Minister as his running mate.
Stunningly, women claimed the politically influential areas of Kirinyaga, Machakos and Meru, where former woman’s representative Kawira Mwangaza, defeated her male competitors.
“Thank you for believing in me and women’s leadership,” Mwangaza said. “I am promising you that Meru will be the best county because there will be sustainable development projects,” she added.
Also Read: William Ruto Wins Kenya’s Presidential Poll
