Kenya poised to elect its first female governors

For the first time, women are poised to occupy important governor positions as they have already made historic gains in the party primaries. This is a political breakthrough in an otherwise patriarchal society. In Kenya, only 19 percent women have been represented in the parliament, which is one of the lowest female representation in East Africa. Here, women have struggled to make gains in the face of violence, intimidation and sexism. Now, all that is set to change in August’s elections. Macharia Munene, a professor of international relations at Nairobi’s United States International University said that  at least two women are almost guaranteed for the position. These two women have proven themselves to be capable leaders in previously held positions and therefore, they stand a great chance to win. So far, none of Kenya’s 47 counties, which manage local infrastructure, have been  headed by a female governor. It is an influential position which oversees budgets worth billions of shillings. 20 percent of national revenues is allotted to the counties. The governor has the power to raise local taxes. In return, they must provide most health facilities, pre-schools, and local infrastructure. Kenyans will vote for their president, parliament and county representatives on Aug 8.