The council of Governors has commended Kenyan electorates for embracing women’s leadership during the just concluded elections.

Led by its Chief Executive Officer Mary Mwiti, the council noted that the third generation of county governments has the highest number of women governors since the inception of devolution following the promulgation of the 2010 constitution.

During this year’s general election, seven women were elected to lead various counties across the nation.

They include Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Susan Kihika of Nakuru county, Wavinya Ndeti of Machakos county, Gladys Wanga of Homa Bay, Cecily Mbarire, Embu county, Fatuma Achani of Kwale and Kawira Mwangaza of Meru county.

Mwiti noted this was a significant move since, in 2017 polls, only three female governors (Anne Waiguru, Charity Ngilu of Kitui county and late Joyce Laboso(Bomet) were elected while none had been elected in 2013.

“It is also the celebration of Kenyan’s maturing democracy. In the second generation of county governments we had only 3 elected female governors but unfortunately, one, former Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso passed on in 2019, but in this generation, we march proudly with seven women governors,” she pointed out.

She praised women for being able to navigate within the mucky waters of politics to achieve the elective posts they have been able to bag.

Further, Mwiti cited violence and intimidation as some of the challenges women in politics have been facing since independence.

“Our country has had a history of intimidation and violence in politics. The narrative is changing and the sacrifices of Mama Grace Onyango, Prof Wangari Mathai and others are not in vain,” she said.