Woman MP Who Got Most Votes in Kenya's History

The political scene in Kenya is always perceived to be a male-dominated affair. In the recent years, women have, however, emerged strongly and trounced men for top seats.

In the 2017 General Election, Kiambu Woman Representative Gathoni Wa Muchoma garnered 922, 829 votes to be the only legislator to receive the highest number of votes in the country.

Following the spectacular win, she was the third most voted for person in the 2017 election after President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga.

[caption caption="File image of Gathoni wa Muchomba"][/caption]

Before winning the seat, the former radio presenter trounced her predecessor who is also President Kenyatta's cousin, Anne Nyokabi, for the Jubilee Party ticket.

Gathoni won with a landslide, collecting 374,306 votes against Nyokabi's 20,760 who has been accused of failing to deliver for the county.

[caption caption="File image of Gathoni wa Muchomba and other Legislators"][/caption]

Before joining politics, she was a radio presenter at vernacular station, Kameme FM.

Her political career, however, started off badly with Kiambu people threatening to impeach her after she supported the bid to have MPs' salaries increased.

Speaking at an interview, Gathoni noted that lawmakers would be demoralised from carrying out their duties “if their environment is not conducive”.

“Does it mean when MPs tighten their belts we will close the gap?

"Where am I supposed to get those resources if my salary is not adequate to share? I am really against that move because it demoralises people from doing what they are supposed to do,” she stated.

[caption caption="Kiambu Woman Rep at a past event"][/caption]

Following the threats to impeach her by the Kiambu people, she issued an apology for her remarks on salaries and vowed to accept what will be passed by the relevant authorities.

"I think there is so much hullabaloo about what I said yesterday...for me, whatever will be decided and delivered to us, I will gladly and humbly accept it and move on," she stated.