Women governors push for more numbers in country's leadership

Machakos governor Wavinya Ndeti hosts an inaugural meeting for female governors during the launch of the construction of Muindi Mbingu Speciality Hospital at Machakos Peoples Park in Machakos County on August 15, 2024. [John Muia, Standard]

Women governors have vowed to lead a sustained campaign towards empowering and mentoring more women into positions of leadership. 

Speaking yesterday during a guided tour of various development projects in Machakos County hosted by Wavinya Ndeti, the leaders, under the auspices of the G7 caucus, vowed to team up not only to achieve socio-economic transformation of their counties but also grow the number of women in influential leadership positions across the county.

The leaders pledged to leverage their platforms and influence to foster an environment where future female leaders can thrive.

The initiative comes at a time when global discussions on gender parity and women’s empowerment are gaining momentum, particularly in political and corporate leadership.

The women governors acknowledged the challenges that women often face in ascending to leadership roles, including systemic barriers, gender biases, and a lack of access to networks and mentorship opportunities.

To address these challenges, the leaders plan to establish comprehensive mentorship programmes, provide resources for leadership training, and create forums for young women to engage with and learn from experienced female leaders.

“The idea of G7 is to encourage women aspiring for leadership and show them that it can actually be done.

“We also want to show that women exemplify exceptional leadership qualities as demonstrated by Governor Wavinya,” said Kirinyaga County boss, Ann Waiguru who is also the chair of the Council of Governors. The visiting governors who included Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Cecily Mbarire (Embu), Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Fatuma Achani (Kwale) and Waiguru lauded Wavinya for initiating Machakos Youth Service, a programme tailored to uplift the youth from poverty and transform them into wealth creators.

“What I was able to learn from this visit and I really thank Governor Wavinya for is introducing the Machakos Youth Service. I am confident that it will be a game changer and will consider also introducing the same in Nakuru county,” said Governor Kihika.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Mbarire who vowed she will copy-paste the concept and launch Embu Youth Service.

“As women leaders, we are trying to learn from each other and exchange ideas that work for the benefit of our electorate,” she said.

On Tuesday, Wavinya concluded a series of countywide public participation forums to engage the youth on some proposed amendments to the Machakos County Youth Empowerment Act, 2022 which seeks to anchor Machakos Youth Service in law.

 “Ndeti has done a lot in the last two years despite the fact that she took over the reins when counties are not receiving a lot of money,” Said Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.

Today, the G7 forum will be hosted at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos where about 10,000 aspiring women leaders have been invited.