Seven female governors were elected in the August 9, 2022, general election, the highest number since the implementation of the devolved system of government in 2013.
Only three female governors were elected in the 2017 general election, making history as the first women to be elected as county bosses since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution. Male governors were 44.
The three included Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru, Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and the late Joyce Laboso (Bomet).
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But the 2022 polls saw the number double, with three more women beating their male opponents to clinch the top county jobs.
The governors are:
1. Anne Waiguru - Kirinyaga
Governor Waiguru secured a second term in office after beating seven opponents to emerge victorious in the hotly contested race.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate garnered 113, 088 votes to beat her main challenger Purity Ngirici (independent) who got 105,677 votes.
Other contestants were Peter Gitau who got 10,166 votes, Joseph Ndambi (3,837), Peter Ireri (2,132), Biden Kagai (1,751) and Sylvanus Ndau who trailed with 532 votes.
Waiguru was first elected governor on a Jubilee party ticket. She defected the UDA in October 2021 following cracks in the ruling party.
2. Susan Kihika - Nakuru
The UDA politician trounced sitting governor Lee Kinyanjui of the ruling Jubilee party to secure herself a spot in the Council of Governors.
The Nakuru Senator garnered 440,707 votes to clinch the county's top job against Kinyanjui's 225,623 votes.
The hotly contested seat attracted six contestants including two independent candidates Stanley Karanja and Elijah Chege, and former Nakuru Senator James Laurie.
3. Gladys Wanga - Homa Bay
The ODM party candidate floored former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero to clinch the Homa Bay governor's seat.
The outgoing Homa Bay Woman Representative and ardent supporter of long-serving opposition leader Raila Odinga garnered 244,599 votes, defeating the independent candidate who managed 154,182 votes.
4. Wavinya Ndeti - Machakos
After two unsuccessful attempts, Wavinya Ndeti finally secured the Machakos governor's seat.
Ndeti, who ran on a Wiper party ticket, garnered 226,609 votes in the hotly contested race that attracted five candidates.
![Transport CAS Wavinya Ndeti. [PHOTO | FILE]](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img/https://www.k24tv.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/WAVINYA-NDETI-730x414.jpg)
The governor-elect's main opponent Nzioka Waita of Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU) party managed 129,181 votes.
5. Kawira Mwangaza - Meru
Kawira Mwangaza is the governor-elect for Meru County.
Mwangaza, who ran on an independent ticket, floored incumbent Kiraitu Murungi and Senator Mithika Linturi, to secure the seat.
She is the outgoing Woman Representative for Meru County.
6. Fatuma Achani - Kwale
Fatuma Achani is the new governor-elect for Kwale County.
Achani, who ran on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket, emerged the winner with 59,674 votes.
ODM party's Hamadi Bodo emerged second with 53,972 votes in the closely fought race.
7. Cicily Mbarire - Embu
The nominated Member of Parliament Mbarire was elected governor for Embu county in Tuesday's polls.
The former Runyenjes MP, who ran on a UDA party ticket, garnered 108,610 votes in a tight race against Lenny Kivuti who managed 105,246 votes.
Mbarire served as MP for Runyenjes from 2007-2017.
She was nominated to parliament under the special interest group after losing the 2017 polls.
