Know your Governors and their First Ladies Part 1

Nyeri

Nyeri County’s ‘First Lady’ Margaret Gachagua is a graceful woman who is well spoken and educated.

Mrs. Gachagua started off as a secondary school teacher before rising to become a principal, who ultimately headed several provincial schools.

Her last posting as principal was at Nyakiambi Girls High School in Nyandarua County before she was posted to Kagumo Teachers College as a lecturer.

She resigned to establish her own school, Riverbank Academy. She also used her professional experience as a teacher and manager when her husband, Nderitu Gachagua, delved into politics.

“During the campaign period I was able to connect with women and youth who are a key voting bloc,” Mrs. Nderitu said.

She explains that as a professional she is passionate about youth and women’s role in society and her work as the ‘First Lady’ now revolves around these two groups.

Nyahururu
Keziah Wanjiku, the wife of Nyandarua County Governor Daniel Waithaka is described by many as the pillar behind the success of her husband. Their journey to success dates back to 1981 when they started the now renowned Nyahururu Elite Schools.
Waithaka joined politics in 2007 when he unsuccessfully vied for Ol Kalou parliamentary seat, and Wanjiku always accompanied him. She would on most occasions be the person to introduce Waithaka in many functions. And the last elections were no different. Wanjiku took the role of a coordinator who would always guide the campaign team.
“I can attest to the fact that behind every successful man there is always a woman. She played a key role in my campaign despite her bad health,” the governor observes.

Embu

Embu ‘First Lady’ Teresia Muthoni Wambora has been in the public limelight supporting county development affairs.

Ms Wambora participated during the distribution of cotton seeds to farmers in Mbeere North and South sub-counties.

She sometimes represents the governor in forums that involve community issues. At a recent farmers’ meeting she told the residents: “I have been sent by the governor to distribute seeds to you so that we can revive cotton farming to make it profitable and create employment opportunities to our youth.”

Nakuru

Even when all eyes were on the election of Governor Kinuthia Mbugua during the hotly contested gubernatorial race for Nakuru County, diminutive Mary chose to stay out of sight.

Occasionally in the last few months she has been seen at her husband’s side during public social events. Sources close to the governor say Mary is publicity shy, but influential in the decisions Governor Mbugua makes concerning governance.

“She is one of the governor’s confidantes and he consults her occasionally on matters of governance,” said an official close to Mbugua and who did not wish to be named least the comments offends the governor.

The most memorable moment during Mbugua’s inauguration was when she kissed him on the dais.

Bungoma

Dr Margaret Makelo-Lusaka was instrumental in the election of Ken Lusaka as the Bungoma governor.

She played a key role in mobilising women voters to vote for her husband.

She holds a PhD in Plant Breeding from KwaZulu-Natal University in South Africa. She has a Master’s Degree in Plant Pathology and Bachelors of Science degree in Botany and Zoology from the University of Nairobi.

She said the security her husband enjoys is extended to her and her children.

Kajiado

Josephine Nkedianye has been the force behind her husband David Nkedianye, giving him the strength to rise to the position of governor.

She is a member of Woman Guild in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, in Empakasi, Kitengela. She is also a Sunday school teacher. “My aim is to empower women economically through their groups and since I belong to various chamas and women groups in the locality, this will be the starting point,” she says.

Mrs. Nkedianye has a diploma in Guidance and Counselling, which she says she has made use of in her local church and the community.

“I never imagined that one day I will become the ‘First Lady’ of the county, but now I have accepted it since God had a plan,” she added.

Baringo
Calm and occasionally see, Baringo’s ‘First Lady’ Emmy Chesire, wife to Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi seems the force to reckon with in the County’s leadership.
A doctor by profession, Chesire occasionally appears at major county events may be due to her busy schedule as a doctor, but that has not hindered her from engaging in development issues. During campaign time, she rallied women in support of her husband’s bid for the governorship leading to overwhelming women vote in the March 4th Elections.
At the launch of the campaigns, she described him as humble, honest, accessible and ambitious family man able to lead, having been in the civil service for 20 years.