The adage "history repeats itself" fits Kenya's political culture like a glove.
One recurring characteristic of Kenya's politics is the dominance of prominent families, with leadership predominantly handed down from father to son.
This pattern has been evident over the years, with some families maintaining a firm grip on Kenya's political trajectory.
Notably, two of Kenya's five presidents have hailed from the same family, and even in the opposition, the baton has been passed from father to son.
The country's current Prime Cabinet Secretary is no exception, as his father enjoyed a close political relationship with the second president.
Traditionally, sons in these influential political families had a head start in the political arena.
However, the landscape is slowly evolving, and daughters are now stepping forward to follow in their fathers' footsteps and make their mark in Kenyan politics.
Kenyans.co.ke examines this trend and takes a look at the daughters who are well-positioned to continue their fathers' legacies and make waves in the Kenyan political landscape.
Winnie Odinga
Winnie Odinga has been a permanent fixture in her father's political activities.
She played a major role in her father's campaign in the build-up to the 2022 general election and received a lot of flak for what some opposition politicians and observers described as overindulging. At one point, she was even blamed for her father's loss.
Winnie was also targeted after the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nominated her to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) at the expense of other party loyalists.
Following the death of her brother, Fidel Odinga, who was widely tipped to be the heir to his father's political throne, Winnie is well-positioned to grow her political star and position herself in Luo Nyanza politics.
She is not just building a political career for herself, she also runs a communications company located in Upper Hill, Nairobi that nurtures creatives and formulates brand strategies.
Susan Kihika
Susan Kihika, Nakuru's first female Governor, is the daughter of former Nakuru North MP Kimani Kihika.
Kimani Kihika was an influential politician in Mt Kenya politics in his heyday during the tenure of former President Jomo Kenyatta. He was mostly known for his numerous attempts to topple Kenya's second president Daniel Moi.
Although she is much more calculated and diplomatic, Kihika shares some characteristics with her father in that she is made of steel.
Susan Kihika shocked political titans when she beat political titans to be elected Nakuru County Assembly Speaker in 2013.
She would later build on that win by being elected Nakuru Senator in 2017.
Not satisfied with the political gains she had achieved until that point, she set her eyes on the Gubernatorial position which she won in 2022 after trouncing former Governor Lee Kinyanjui.
Instructively, Susan was rumored to be Kimani Kihika's favorite child.
Wavinya Ndeti
Wavinya Ndeti, the current Machakos Governor has overcome various political hurdles to become a force to reckon with in Ukambani politics.
What most people do not know is that she is the daughter of former Legislative Council of Kenya (LegCo) councilor, Peter Nzuki Ndeti.
She joined the political fray in 2007 when she won the Kathiani MP seat with a landslide victory.
Wavinya would later be appointed to the Grand Coalition Government as Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports.
Ndeti would later vie for the Machakos Governor seat in 2013 and 2017 but lost on both occasions to Dr. Alfred Mutua, the current Tourism Cabinet Secretary.
She would however finally clinch the Gubernatorial seat in 2022 after beating former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita.
Gladys Wanga
Wanga, the ODM stalwart, grew up in a political family making her develop an interest in governance from an early age.
Her father, the late John Nyasuna, was a councilor who served as the chairperson of the Kisumu County Council.
In line with her ambition, Wanga sustained her interest in politics at university. At this juncture, she became the first woman to be elected as the Secretary General of the Kenyatta University Students Union (KUSU).
She would sustain her interest in politics beyond campus life, building her path toward ascending to the pinnacle of Kenyan politics.
Wanga claimed her first significant victory when she was elected Homa Bay Woman Representative in 2013, a position she retained in 2017.
In 2022 she would build on that by becoming the first woman to be elected Governor in Luo Nyanza.
After the elections, she has consistently been ranked as one of the best-performing Governors in the country.
Raychelle Omamo
The Omamos are renowned for their strong ties with the Kenyattas, with William Odongo Omamo, Raychelle's father, having served as a minister in Jomo Kenyatta's cabinet.
William later served as a Member of Parliament for Bondo and Muhoroni constituencies.
Raychelle, in her own right, made history as Kenya's first female Defence Minister during former President Uhuru Kenyatta's tenure from 2013 to 2020. She also served as Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary from 2020 to 2022.
Raychelle's familial connections extend to her being the aunt of Fiona Achola, the wife of former President Uhuru Kenyatta's son, Jomo Kenyatta.
Following former President Uhuru Kenyatta's retirement, Raychelle has transitioned into corporate life and currently holds the position of Vice-President at the East African Law Society.
Although she remains in the background, her potential return to the political arena, especially in Luo Nyanza politics, remains a possibility given her influential political connections and substantial resources.
