A record seven female governors are about to be sworn in on Thursday in Kenya following the recent elections in which a total of 45 regional governors were elected, BBC reports.
The vote has ushered in a new wave of female leaders – previously there were only three women holding these influential positions.
Governors are in charge of huge budgets and are expected to spearhead development in their counties.
More than 20 female candidates had vied for the gubernatorial posts.
Despite women making up nearly half of registered voters, very few female leaders hold elective positions.
Martha Koome, Kenya’s first female chief justice, has appointed 45 judges to preside over the swearing-in ceremony of the incoming governors.
The seven women to be sworn in are:
•Fatuma Achani – Kwale County
•Susan Kihika- Nakuru County
•Cecily Mbarire- Embu County
•Kawira Mwangaza – Meru County
•Wavinya Ndeti- Machakos County
•Anne Waiguru – Kirinyaga County
•Gladys Wanga- Homa Bay County.
