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Key Dates for Women in Kenya

These are the Key dates for women in Kenya


Key Dates for Women in Kenya

Number Year Details Action
1. 1961
  • April 1961 Priscilla Abwao nominated to the Legislative Council
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    2. 1969
  • 158 members elected of which 157 are men and 1 woman. Hon Grace Onyango is elected as the first woman Member of Parliament representing Kisumu Town Constituency.
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    3. 1974
  • Elections are called for 14 October 14, 1974. Three women are elected: Grace Onyango retains her Kisumu Town seat and is joined by Hon. Dr. Julia Auma Ojiambo (Busia Central) and the Hon. Philomena Chelagat Mutai (Eldoret North).
  • President Jomo Kenyatta nominates Dr. Eddah Gachukia and Jemimah Gecaga as members of Parliament, bringing the total number of women in parliament to five.
  • Hon. Winfred Nyiva Mwendwa is elected as a member of parliament for Kitui west Constituency. View Details
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    4. 1983
  • President Daniel Arap Moi dissolves Parliament on 15 July 1983, a year before the end of its term (1984) and general elections are held on 26 September 1983.
  • Only two women are elected out of the 158 members. Hon Phoebe Asiyo and Grace Ogot.
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    5. 1988
  • The numbers of parliamentary seats are increased from 158 to 188 elected members, 12 nominated members and 2 ex-officio members totaling to 202 members.
  • Two women are elected into parliament; Hon Grace Ogot (Gem Constituency) and Hon Agnes Ndetei (Kibwezi).
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    6. 1992
  • The first election is held after the reintroduction of multiparty politics, following the repeal of Section 2 (A) of the Constitution in December 1991, on 29 December 1992.
  • Out of 188 seats in parliament, 100 are taken by KANU while the remaining 88 are taken by the newly formed opposition parties: FORD – Kenya (31), FORD – Asili (31), Democratic Party (23), Kenya Social Congress (1), Kenya National Congress (1) and Party of Independent Candidates of Kenya (1).
  • The total number of women elected were 6
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    7. 1995
  • Winnie Nyiva Mwendwa was appointed the Minister for Culture and Social Services on May 9, 1995, becoming the first female minister in Kenya.
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    8. 1997
  • The 7th Parliament is dissolved on 10 November and the eighth parliament elected with an increased membership of 210 in the 29-30 December general election.
  • The total number of women elected were 8
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    9. 2002
  • The election of 2002 sees KANU lose dominance in parliament as the National Rainbow Coalition wins with an overwhelming majority of 125 seats out of 210. KANU won 64 seats. The remaining seats were shared by five other parties: FORD-People 14; Safina two; Sisi Kwa Sisi Party two; FORD – Asili two and Shirikisho one.
  • The total number of women elected to parliament were 8 and 8 nominated, bringing to a total of 16 women in the National Assembly.
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    10. 2007
  • The general election of 2007 sees Orange Democratic Party garner 101 seats out of 210 and gain majority lead in parliament.
  • 23 parties were represented in the parliament – the highest number ever.
  • The number of women increased to 21 with 15 elected and 6 nominated.
  • October 22, parliament is dissolved paving way for the 10th parliament.
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    11. 2010
  • August 27, a new constitution is promulgated introducing a devolved form of government and parliament reverts to a bicameral system.
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    12. 2013
  • January 13, the 10th parliament under the Speakership of Kenneth Marende and that accommodated a coalition government, is dissolved.
  • March 4, Kenya holds the first election under the new Constitution voting in the inaugural bicameral parliament with the Senate having 69 members (47 elected and 12 nominated) and 349 members of the National Assembly (290 constituency members, 47 County Women Representatives and 12 nominated members).
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    13. 2017
  • The general election is held on 8 August 2017 ushering the 12th parliament with a Jubilee Party having majority in both the National Assembly and Senate.
  • Justin Muturi is elected speaker of the National Assembly with Kenneth Lusaka in the Senate.
  • In 2017 we had 3 women governors, 3 senators elected and 18 nominated, 23 elected Mps and 6 nominated, and 96 elected Members of the County Assembly View Details
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    14. 2022
  • The general election on 9 August births the 13th parliament. The National Assembly is composed of 76 elected women and 260 men, while senate has 44 elected men members and 3 elected women members.
  • 7 women are elected as Governors, 3 are elected as senators, 29 are elected as Members of Parliament and 115 are elected as Members of the County Asssembly.
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