Gladys Wanga Becomes The First Female Governor in Nyanza

Outgoing Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga has won the governor seat, beating her counterpart Evans Kidero, who stood on an independent ticket with over 100,000 votes.

Wanga garnered a total of 244,559 votes, while Kidero came in second managing a total of 154,182 votes. United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party’s Mark Raudi came in third with 1,244 votes.

Born on March 7, 1981, to John Nyasuna, an astute politician, she goes down in history as the youngest female governor and the first governor in the Nyanza region.

Wanga’s Political Journey

Wanga attributes her love for politics to her father who made sure she tagged along on his campaign trails from a young age.

After Graduating from Kenyatta University, she embarked on her political journey by engaging in ODM party politics.

In 2013 she was elected as the first Woman Representative for Homa Bay County and re-elected in 2017 unopposed. From 2013 to 2017, she served as a Commissioner in the Parliamentary Service Commission making her the first woman Commissioner from Nyanza Region.

She also headed the Nyanza Presidential Campaign team for the then Prime Minister Raila Odinga in 2017. In 2018 she was appointed as Secretary to the ODM Central Management Committee.

In 2015, she was elected as the Orange Democratic Movement Party’s Chairperson for Homa Bay County, a fiercely aggressive position that no woman has ever contested for.

She scored another first in 2022 when she was appointed Chair of the Finance and National Planning Committee of the Kenya National Assembly, the first woman to hold the position in Kenya.

Gladys is among the ranking founders who spearheaded the Embrace Kenya movement to popularize the Building Bridges Initiative and the Handshake Between President Uhuru Kenyatta and the People’s President Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga.

The now considered queen of Nyanza politics has been active and vocal on issues such as women empowerment, girl child education, Leadership, and Governance.

She believes that if more women are encouraged and allowed to hold decision-making positions in the parties, then they will actively get involved in politics and even run for elective posts.

Parties should also nominate women in their strongholds and discourage violence according to Wanga.