These are the women breaking new ground in Kenya’s politics.
They are the frontwomen of Kenya’s two main political parties. And like the women who brought them into power, they also stand out as leaders in their own right.
When it comes to women MPs, the two major parties in Kenya, the Alliance for the Reestablishment of Peace and the New Kenya Party, have a long history. In fact, they were part of a coalition government following the end of white minority rule in Kenya in 1963. The two parties are now headed by women — Nsubibi Muigai (Alliance), and Mwai Kibaki (New Kenya). They are often referred to as the ‘two queens of the electoral arena’.
Over the course of the last ten years, both the Alliance and the New Kenya have seen a number of prominent women leaders emerge. Here are 16 of the most prominent women leaders.
1. Nnabia Nyarko
Nnabia Nyarko is a former teacher and current Member of Parliament for Kenya’s Rift Valley, and is the party chairperson for the Alliance for the Re-Estate of Peace (ARP) party. She is a leader in the party for women empowerment programmes, and is an outspoken advocate of women’s rights and freedoms. She is the daughter of the late Dr. David Nyarko, founding chairperson of the Kenya Democracy Party, and is a co-founder of the Kenyan Association of Teachers and Educators, which was formed in response to the anti-teacher law in 2005.
2. Margaret Kibaki
Margaret Kibaki is the current leader of Kenya’s New Kenya Party and the daughter of the former president Mwai Kibaki. She is often quoted as an advocate for women’s rights. She is the chairperson of the New Kenya Party and was the secretary general of the National Women’s Coalition. She is a woman of many talents, notably in the fields of social media management and writing. She is a vocal supporter for women in politics, and is often referred to as one of the pioneers of the women’s movement. Margaret Kibaki is also a keen supporter of gender equality and