Kilifi County has elected the first woman to be speaker of the county assembly, a move that has been echoed as a major milestone for women empowerment in the country.
Catherine Kenga who is the immediate acting county secretary and former CEC member of roads in Kilifi County has now officially taken over the position after Teddy Mwambire was impeached by the same MCAs last month.
Kenga garnered 48 out of the 51 votes defeating four other contestants who were also eying the seat.
Immediately after she was declared winner, there was jubilation from the MCAs and the members of the public who celebrated the victory of the women.
Kenga is not only the first woman speaker in Kilifi but in the larger Coastal region and has set the stage for more opportunities for women empowerment.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro was present together with all his CEC members who had come to witness the victory of the former executive member.
In the voting process, Contestants Tendai Lewa , Shadrack Mwachiru Mazera and Reuben Katana a former Ganda ward MCA did not get a single vote, Faith Zawadi got a mere 3 votes.
Majority leader Ibrahim Abdi Matumbo said they elected Kenga because she was qualified for the position.
He said they have worked with her while serving as CEC member for roads and as county secretary and have confidence she is fit to be the speaker.
Matumbo said they expect her to champion for women’s rights and opportunities.
“There were allegations that a woman MCA was beaten in this premises and we elected her to dispel the notion that women are looked down upon. She has experience after working as a senior National Assembly employee and a County Executive Committee Member (CECM),” he said.
Elizabeth Macdonald, a resident of Kilifi congratulated Kenga saying the leadership space for women in Kilifi County was on the rise.
In her acceptance speech the new Speaker said she was ready for the task after serving in different positions from CEC roads, Ag county secretary and serving in a senior position at the National Assembly.
Last month Kilifi MCAs impeached former speaker Teddy Mwambire accusing him of gross misconduct.
