By Joab Apollo
After months of protracted court battles and political intrigues, Anne Kananu Mwenda, was finally sworn-in as Nairobi City County Governor, becoming the first woman to be in charge of Kenya’s richest county.
She takes over from Mike Sonko Mbuvi, whose stint in office came to an end in December, 2020, following allegations of corruption and mismanagement. Mr. Sonko then moved to court to challenge his dethronement, but the Supreme Court of Kenya dismissed his petition.
Mwenda, a former security supervisor, becomes the fourth woman in Kenya to rise to a gubernatorial rank after Charity Ngilu of Kituyi, Ann Waiguru of Kirinyiga and the late Joyce Laboso of Bomet County. Kenya has 47 governors.
During her swearing-in ceremony at the historic Kenyatta Convention Center (KCC), she said her top priority would be to provide free milk to Early Childhood Education children in Nairobi, as well as revamp Nairobi’s 24hour economic status.
“The responsibility bestowed upon me as governor of Nairobi is no mean feat. However, I confidently state that with your support I am up to the task and I will serve you to the best of my ability.” She declared during her installation ceremony attended by senior government officials.
Her rise affirms the reality that Kenyan women are rapidly taking over critical government and corporate roles in a country that has for along time been given to subjugation of women.