Schools Attended By 7 Female Governors-Elects
Women are the ties that bind any society together. The 2022 General Election was unique, especially in terms of women’s empowerment.
For the first time in Kenyan history, seven female governors were elected and will serve for the next five years.
We investigate the post-primary educational institutions attended by the six female governors-elect.
Anne Waiguru
Anne Mumbi Waiguru, who successfully defended her Kirinyaga governorship, began her education at Nairobi River Primary School.
The former Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning then enrolled at Precious Blood Girls High School in Riruta, where she completed her O-levels in 1987.
She then attended Moi Forces Academy for her A-levels.
Waiguru studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics at Moi Forces Academy.
She then went on to study at Egerton University for a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Home Economics before transferring to the University of Nairobi for her Masters’s degree in the same field.
Susan Kihika
Susan Kihika, the Nakuru county governor-elect, attended Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls High School, also known as BeeGee. Kihika’s education began at Busara Forest View Academy in Nyahururu county.
She moved to the United States after finishing secondary school to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
Kihika earned a Juris Doctorate from Southern Methodist University in Texas in 2006 before returning to Kenya.
Kihika ran unsuccessfully for the Bahati parliamentary constituency seat in 2012. Failure did not deter her; she went on to become the first female County Assembly Speaker in Nakuru County before being elected to the Senate in 2017.
Kawira Mwangaza
Meru County’s first female governor-elect attended Moyale Girls High School in the then-North Eastern province.
She then attended Makerere College in Uganda, where she majored in Human Resource Management and graduated in 2009.
Mwangaza also has a Bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Kampala Global College in Uganda.
Cecily Mbarire
Cecily Mutitu Mbarire, Embu County’s first female governor-elect, attended Sacred Heart Kyeni Girls High School in her home county.
She later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Egerton University in Nakuru.
Mbaririe also graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Diploma in Gender and Development Studies.
Wavinya Ndeti
Wavinya Ndeti, the Machakos county governor-elect, attended The Kenya High School. Her education began at Mount-Saint Mary’s Primary School, where she earned her Primary Education certificate.
She then attended South Bank University in the United Kingdom, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Gladys Wanga Atieno
Wanga went to Kisumu Girls High School. Her leadership abilities were evident from an early age, as she served as the school’s head girl.
Wanga was once suspended from Kisumu Girls High School for her advocacy for social justice.
She then attended Kenyatta University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Management. Wanga later earned a Masters degree in the same field from KU.
While at KU, the outspoken politician made history by becoming the first female Secretary General of the Student Union.
Fatuma Achani
Fatuma Achani, the deputy governor of Kwale County from 2013 to 2022 under Salim Mvurya’s leadership, began her education at Kingwede Primary School.
Achani went on to attend Mama Ngina Girls Secondary School in Mombasa.
Her outstanding performance in the national exams earned her admission to Moi University, where she pursued a Bachelor of Law degree. She then enrolled in a diploma program at the Kenya School of Law.
Achani previously worked at a Mombasa law firm and the Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA).
