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All the seven elected women governors converge in Machakos county starting tomorrow for the second edition of the G7 Initiative.
The two-day event will include a tour of various county facilities, including health centers and a daycare, culminating in the groundbreaking of a Level 6 Hospital.

Additionally, the governors will engage with over 5,000 women at Kenyatta Stadium in an interactive session focused on empowerment and leadership.

Those expected to grace the event include the host Wavinya Ndeti, the Council of Governors (CoG) chairperson Anne Waiguru, Homa Bay’s Gladys Wanga, Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Fatuma Achani (Kwale), Kawira Mwangaza (Meru) and Cecily Mbarire (Embu).

Earlier this year, the seven united in a groundbreaking initiative dubbed the G7 Strategy, to strengthen governance and promote women’s leadership at the county level.

The initiative aims at empowering women leaders and fostering transformative governance.

It was developed in response to the ongoing need for greater gender equality in leadership roles and economic participation. By focusing on key sectors, the initiative aims to create sustainable and inclusive growth.

NGOs initiative

Various governmental and non-governmental organizations have partnered in this initiative to support the empowerment of women leaders.

“I believe we can do it. I also encourage more women to take up political and governance positions and not to shy away from venturing into their field of interest,” says Waiguru. Ndeti on her part highlights the initiative’s importance.

“Women bring unique perspectives and insights to the table, essential for effective decision-making and governance. By empowering more women to take on leadership roles, we can build more inclusive and responsive institutions that serve the needs of all citizens.”

The G7 strategy seeks to empower and support women leaders within the devolved structures. Their objective is to strengthen women’s leadership and demonstrate efficient, transformational, and strategic governance. This will be achieved through the inclusion of more women in leadership positions. The main goal is to have more women elected to positions of power in the next general elections in 2027 with a representation of 16 female Governors up from the current seven.

To deliver this ambition, the women committed to devout their efforts in mentoring aspiring female political leaders and equipping them to maneuver the political waters which can be murky.

Speaking during the event, H.E Governor Wavinya Ndeti pointed out that women need the support of their respective political parties for them to rise to positions of political leadership.

“Political parties should assist women to get into politics and once they are there, they should be entrusted with leadership positions to grow politically”, said Wavinya. She also lauded Wiper, ODM and UDA parties for leading from the front in matters of women’s leadership.