Women are the glue that holds any society together. The 2022 General Election was one of a kind particularly when it comes to women's empowerment. For the first time in Kenya’s history, seven women were elected as governors and will serve for the next five years.
Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at the post-primary learning institutions that the six female governors attended.
Anne Mumbi Waiguru
Anne Waiguru - who successfully retained her Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat - started her education at Nairobi River Primary School.
The former Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning then joined Precious Blood Girls High School Riruta where she sat her O-level exams in 1987. She went on to join Moi Forces Academy for her A-levels. At Moi Forces Academy, Waiguru studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
She then joined Egerton University where she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Home Economics before joining the University of Nairobi for her Masters degree in the same field.
Susan Kihika
Susan Kihika, the governor-elect for Nakuru County, attended Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls High School, popularly known as BeeGee. Kihika started her education at Busara Forest View Academy in Nyahururu County.
After finishing her secondary school education, she migrated to the United States where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
In 2006, Kihika graduated with a Juris degree from Southern Methodist University in Texas before returning to Kenya.
In 2012, Kihika vied for the Bahati parliamentary constituency seat but lost. Failure did not stop her, she went on to serve as the first female County Assembly Speaker for Nakuru county before winning the 2017 Senate seat.
Kawira Mwangaza
The first female governor-elect of Meru County attended Moyale Girls High School in the then-North Eastern province.
She then went on to join Makerere College in Uganda where she studied Human Resource Management, graduating in 2009. Mwangaza also boosts of a Bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Uganda-based Kampala Global College.
Cecily Mutitu Mbarire
Mbarire, the first female governor-elect of Embu County, attended Sacred Heart Kyeni Girls High School in her home county.
She later went on to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at Nakuru-based Egerton University.
Mbaririe also earned a Diploma in Gender and Development Studies from the University of Nairobi.
Wavinya Ndeti
Wavinya Ndeti, the governor-elect for Machakos County, studied at The Kenya High School. Her educational background started at Saint Mary’s Primary School where she got her certificate of Primary Education.
She went on to join United Kingdom-based South Bank University where she took a bachelor's degree in Computer Science.
Gladys Atieno Wanga
Wanga studied at Kisumu Girls High School. Her leadership qualities started to show at an early age since she served as the school's head girl.
Due to her advocacy for social justice, Wanga was once suspended while at Kisumu Girls High School.
She went on to join Kenyatta University where she earned a bachelor's degree in Health Management. Wanga went on to earn a Masters degree in the same discipline from KU.
The vocal politician entered into the history books while at KU by becoming the first female Secretary General of the Student’s Union.
Fatuma Achani
Fatuma Achani, who served as the deputy governor of Kwale County from 2013 to 2022 under the leadership of Salim Mvurya, started her education journey at Kingwede Primary School.
Achani went on to join Mombasa-based Mama Ngina Girls Secondary School.
Her exemplary performance at the national exams earned her a place at Moi University where she studied for a Bachelor of Law degree. She went on to join the Kenya School of Law for a diploma course.
Achani has previously worked at a law firm in Mombasa and at the Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA).
