How educated are Kenyan female governors? Kenya has been lucky to have female leaders increasing since the late 90s. Women have proved that they have what it takes to clinch top political positions that were once perceived to be a preserve of men.
In the most recent elections conducted, 7 new female governors were elected for various counties, which sets a historic high.
They are Wavinya Ndeti, Kawira Mwangaza, Susan Kihika, Anne Waiguru, Gladys Wanga, Fatuma Achani and Cecily Mbarrire.
Let us take a look at their educational backgrounds.
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Wavinya Ndeti – Governor Machakos County
Wavinya Ndeti was born on 8th November 1967. She is known for serving in various government positions as well as her influence in the Kenyan Ukambani region.
She started school at Mount-Saint Mary’s Primary School where she got her CPE certificate acknowledging she had completed primary education. Wavinya joined high school at the Kenyan High School for her Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education
Wavinya Ndeti spent the vast majority of her youthful years in the United Kingdom where she was studying.
She attended South Bank Polytechnic between 1986 and 1990. She later proceeded to London South Bank University where she studied Computer Science and Business Administration.
She holds a Master of Science Degree in Computer Science from South Bank University, the UK and another MSc in Business Administration and Marketing from Heriot-Watt University, UK.
She has a total of 6 degrees from accredited institutions and claims that her 7th degree is her deceased husband.
While in the UK studying, Wavinya met and got married to Nigerian accountant, Prince Henry Oduwale. Together they have 3 children.
Oduwale succumbed to death in 2016 at the Nairobi Hospital. He was buried at Wavinya’s family home in Machakos, Kenya.
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Kawira Mwangaza – Governor Meru County
Kawira Mwangaza has been the talk of Meru town after winning the gubernatorial seat on an independent ticket, whitewashing political giants such as Kiraitu Murungi and Mithika Linturi.
She was born in the villages of Meru. Kawira attended CCM Ontulili Primary School for primary school education. She proceeded to join Moyale Girls High School in 1992.
She started her career in 2004 as the CEO of Mwangaza Distributors Ltd until 2008. The ride at the company was a success and from it, she got the nickname ‘Mwangaza’.
She joined Kampala International University where she studied for a Bachelor of Education in Guidance and Counselling. She completed the course successfully in 2011.
She also has a Human Resource Management Certificate from Makerere University. In addition to that, she has another certificate from Meru University.
Kawira joined active politics in 2017 when she contested the Women’s Representative seat for Meru County. In 2018 she got married to Meru musician Pastor Robert Murega Rimbiera alias Murega Baichu.
Together they are the co-owners of Mery language TV Station Baite Television. Kawira is also the owner of the internet Television station, Mwangaza TV.
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Susan Kihika – Governor Nakuru County
Susan Kihika is a Kenyan lawyer and politician. She was born in Nakuru, in 1974. She comes from an affluent family since her father was a politician in the Moi rule.
She attended Busara Forest View Academy in Nyahururu for her primary school education. Later she went on to Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girl’s High School popularly known as ‘BeeGee’ for secondary education.
After that, she migrated to the US in 1992 after gaining admission to the University of North Texas, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
In 2006, she was admitted to the Texas Bar after graduating with a Juris Doctor degree from the Law School of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
She worked in the public service in Dallas and soon after established her consultancy firm, The Kihika Law Firm.
20 years later since immigrating, in 2013 she returned to Kenya and contested for Bahati parliamentary seat in Nakuru. She lost. She was however elected the first Assembly speaker in Nakuru County.
In 2017, she vied for the senatorial spot in Nakuru and won. In 2022, she sought the gubernatorial seat and won, making history as the first female governor leading an all-woman team in Nakuru county.
Susan Kihika is married to billionaire businessman Sam Kamau Mburu and the duo had a traditional wedding on 7th November 2020 in Nyahururu.
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4. Anne Waiguru – Governor Kirinyaga County
Anne Mumbi Waiguru was born on 16th April 1971. She attended Nairobi River Primary School for primary school education. Later she joined Precious Blood Girl’s Secondary School, Riruta where she sat for her O-levels exams in 1987.
She went on to join Moi Forces Academy where she studied Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. She sat her A-levels exams in 1989.
After that, she joined Egerton University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and economics. She also studied for a master’s degree in economics from the University of Nairobi.
She has specialized in public finance, finance management systems, public service reform, capacity building and governance.
She has been re-elected as the governor of Kirinyaga after first winning the seat in the 2017 general elections.
5. Gladys Wanga – Governor Homa Bay County
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’s 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.
6. Fatuma Achani – Governor Lamu County
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 in 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 the Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA).
7. Cecily Mbarire – Governor Embu County
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.
