Six Decades of
Women's Leadership

Agatha Mawondo Nimrod Mboje becomes the first Kenya African woman to obtain a degree, from Makerere College on a Kenya Government bursary.

April 1961: Priscilla Abwao is nominated to the Legislative Council, becoming the first woman to serve in Kenya's legislature.

Kenya gains independence on December 12, 1963. The struggle for women's political representation begins in the new republic.

Prof. Julia Auma Ojiambo becomes the first African woman appointed to teach at the Royal College (now University of Nairobi). She later became the first female Assistant Minister in 1974, appointed by President Jomo Kenyatta.

Effie Owuor becomes the first female State Counsel and prosecutor. She became the first Female Magistrate in 1970, the first female judge in Kenya (appointed by President Moi in 1982), and the first female Court of Appeal Judge in 1998.

Hon. Grace Onyango becomes the first woman elected as a Member of Parliament, representing Kisumu Town Constituency. Of 158 members elected, 157 are men and 1 woman.

Three women are elected: Grace Onyango retains her Kisumu Town seat, joined by Hon. Dr. Julia Auma Ojiambo (Busia Central) and Hon. Philomena Chelagat Mutai (Eldoret North). President Kenyatta nominates Dr. Eddah Gachukia and Jemimah Gecaga, bringing total women in parliament to five. Hon. Winfred Nyiva Mwendwa is also elected for Kitui West.

President Moi dissolves Parliament on 15 July 1983 and general elections are held on 26 September. Only two women are elected out of 158 members: Hon. Phoebe Asiyo and Grace Ogot.

Parliamentary seats increased from 158 to 188 elected members. Only two women elected: Hon. Grace Ogot (Gem) and Hon. Agnes Ndetei (Kibwezi).

Section 2(A) of the Constitution is repealed in December 1991, reintroducing multiparty politics and opening space for broader civic participation.

The first multiparty election is held on 29 December 1992. Out of 188 seats, 6 women are elected to parliament.

Winnie Nyiva Mwendwa is appointed Minister for Culture and Social Services on May 9, 1995 — the first female minister in Kenya's history.

The 8th parliament is elected on 29-30 December with 210 members. 8 women are elected.

Dr. Sally Kosgei becomes the first woman appointed Head of the Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet (April 2001, appointed by President Moi).

NARC wins with 125 seats. 8 women elected and 8 nominated, bringing total to 16 women in the National Assembly — a new high at the time.

Wangari Maathai is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the first African woman and first Kenyan to win the prize.

Orange Democratic Party garners 101 seats. Women in parliament increase to 21: 15 elected and 6 nominated. 23 parties represented — the highest number ever.

August 27: A transformative new constitution is promulgated, introducing devolved government, a bicameral parliament, and critically — Article 81(b) requiring no more than two-thirds of elected/appointed officials to be of the same gender.

January 13: 10th Parliament is dissolved. March 4: First election under the new Constitution. Kenya votes in inaugural bicameral parliament. Senate has 69 members (47 elected, 12 nominated); National Assembly has 349 members. 12 women nominated to National Assembly, 18 women senators nominated. 16 women MPs elected.

General election on 8 August 2017. 3 women governors elected, 3 senators elected and 18 nominated, 23 elected MPs and 6 nominated, and 96 elected Members of County Assembly. Jubilee Party wins majority in both chambers.

General election on 9 August births 13th Parliament. National Assembly: 76 elected women and 260 men. 7 women elected as Governors, 3 as Senators, 29 as MPs, and 115 as Members of County Assembly — the highest numbers in Kenya's history.