Women leadership in Kenya is on an upward trend with the 12th Parliament expected to have 22 women who have won polls in their respective counties.
The 11th Parliament had only 16 women on elective seats.
Of the 22 who will be joining the next Parliament, 13 of them are from Jubilee Party.
Raila Odinga’s led ODM has 5 while Kanu, Wiper Democratic Movement and Party of Reforms and Democracy have one woman-elect on their party.
Former journalist and nominated Senator Naisula Lesuuda has beaten odds to emerge victorious in Samburu West constituency.
Lesuuda is the first woman to be elected as the MP from the region. She vied on a Kanu ticket and polled at 14, 561 votes trouncing Jubilee’s Jonathan Lati who got 13, 491 votes.
Jubilee’s nominated MP Sarah Lekorere beat his rival Mathew Lempurkel (ODM) to clinch Laikipia North Parliamentary seat.
Lekorere had in the past been attacked by Lempurkel who kicked her in the stomach.
Sophia Noor who vied on Party of Reform and Democracy emerged winner of Ijara constituency. She garnered 5, 824 votes.
Jubilee Peris Tobiko fought a hard battle to retain her Kajiado East seat with 37, 742 votes.
In Deputy President William Ruto’s home turf of Uasin Gishu, Janet Sitienei who vied as an independent candidate emerged winner beating Jubilee’s Stephen Okwara for Turbo MP. She garnered 36, 444 votes against Okwara’s 30, 9014.
Charity Kathambu Chepkwony made history in Njoro after being elected as the MP. The constituency has not had a female MP in the last 25 years.
Surprisingly, she hails from Meru County but is married in Njoro.
In Naivasha, Jane Kihara(JP) who served as the MP for the same area between 2002 and 2007 is back.
Martha Wangari, a former nominated Senator emerged the winner in Gilgil constituency. She vied on a Jubilee Party ticket.
Former assistant minister Kipklaya Kones’s Widow Beatrice Kones has been elected on a Jubilee ticket to represent Bomet East.
She trounced her son Kipngetich Kones who was vying on Chama Cha Mashinani Party ticket. She garnered 22, 796 votes against her son’s 2, 410 votes.
In Murang’a County, three women were elected.
Alice Wahome retained her Kandara seat while Ruth Mwaniki is the MP-elect for Kigumo constituency and MCA Mary Waithera was elected MP for Maragua.
Kiambu County has only one woman MP, Ann Wanjiku Kibe (Gatundu North) who is a former nominated MCA.
In Eastern region, Rachel Nyamai retained her Kitui South MP seat on a Jubilee ticket despite the area being a NASA stronghold.
Jessica Nduku Mbalu successfully defended her Kibwezi East seat on a Wiper ticket.
In Nairobi, Mercy Gakuya is the MP-elect for Kasarani. She polled at 73, 736 votes against incumbents John Njoroge’s 15, 548 votes.
Jubilee’s Naomi Shaban retained her Taveta seat while Kilifi Women Rep Aisha Jumwa is the MP-elect for Malindi on an ODM ticket.
Mombasa Women Rep Mishi Mboko successfully voted for Likoni MP on an ODM ticket.
ODM die-hard Millie Odhiambo retained her Suba North seat. Eve Obara, KLB director clinched Kabondo Kasipul seat.
Dr Lilian Goro, a former lecturer at Egerton University won the Rangwe MP seat.