The Kenyan parliament earlier this year rejected a bill seeking to entrench the two-thirds gender rule as provided by the constitution.
Currently there is no woman governor in the country while there are only nine women deputy governors across the 47 counties.
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Despite this setback, a crop of bold women leaders have come out strongly to challenge their male counterparts for the coveted governorship posts.
Anne Waiguru – Kirinyaga
The former Devolution Cabinet Secretary has declared that she will vie for Kirinyaga governorship position currently held by Joseph Ndathi under the Jubilee Party ticket.
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In August she announced at a press conference that she was moving from being a civil servant to being a politician.
“I am cut for the task, (governor) and with God ahead and the support of the people of Kirinyaga we will make it,” she said.
Cecily Mbarire – Embu
The firebrand Runyenjes MP will seek to unseat the incumbent Martin Wambora in Meru on a Jubilee Party ticket.
Mbarire has called upon her male counterparts, who include Wambora, Management consultant Kithinji Kiragu and former Transport PS Cyrus Njiru to support her as she runs for the Embu Governorship.
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She has already received backing from Senate Majority leader Kithuke Kindiki, Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi and other MPs from Embu County.
Ruth Odinga – Kisumu
Cord leader Raila Odinga’s sister has declared her intention to be Kisumu’s next governor, which is held by Jack Ranguma.
Odinga is also Ranguma’s deputy though the two have frequently clashed over differences on how the city is run.
Odinga, who is the chairperson of the Kenya network of women governors, has said that there is need for Kenya to have more women in elective positions and she will set the example and lead from the front.
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Joyce Laboso - Bomet
The National Assembly deputy speaker has ambitiously declared that she wants to oust powerful Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto during next year’s general election.
Laboso is on record saying that she will seek to change the perception of council of governors as a "men's club".
"I believe that I can make a difference in Bomet County so nobody should be deceived that I am working so hard to be anybody’s deputy," she said.
Bishop Margaret Wanjiru – Nairobi
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The bishop has joined an already crowded field of candidates in the race to become the next Nairobi Governor currently held by Dr Evans Kidero.
Wanjiru is on record saying that Nairobi County needs a mother as its leader and women have realised this and are tired of continually being marginalised from top leadership positions.
“Women want their own and this is the time. Nairobi needs a mother. Even men have realised this and want women to be leaders and are ready to support them,” she said in August.
