Under the banner of the G7 caucus, women governors have pledged to lead a sustained campaign to empower and mentor more women into leadership positions. This commitment was made during a tour of various development projects in Machakos County, hosted by Governor Wavinya Ndeti.
The governors, including Ann Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Cecily Mbarire (Embu), Susan Kihika (Nakuru), and Fatuma Achani (Kwale), emphasized their collective goal of not only driving socio-economic transformation in their counties but also increasing the representation of women in influential leadership roles.
Ann Waiguru, the chair of the Council of Governors, highlighted the importance of the G7 initiative in encouraging aspiring female leaders. “The idea of G7 is to show that women exemplify exceptional leadership qualities, as demonstrated by Governor Wavinya,” Waiguru stated.
The initiative aligns with global discussions on gender parity and women’s empowerment, particularly in political and corporate leadership. The women governors acknowledged the systemic barriers, gender biases, and lack of access to networks that often hinder women from ascending to leadership roles.
To address these challenges, the governors plan to establish mentorship programs, provide leadership training resources, and create forums for young women to learn from experienced female leaders. Governor Kihika praised Wavinya for her Machakos Youth Service program, which aims to uplift youth from poverty and transform them into wealth creators. Inspired by the program, Kihika expressed her intention to introduce a similar initiative in Nakuru County.
The leaders also visited key development projects in Machakos, including the groundbreaking of Athiriver Level 4 Hospital, which will have a 102-bed capacity and serve approximately 88,000 patients annually. They laid the foundation for the construction of a 600-bed specialty hospital named after freedom fighter Muindi Mbingu, scheduled for completion in 2026. The facility will feature a modern cancer center and a Mother and Child complex.
Additionally, the governors unveiled a modern sports complex and commissioned a fully equipped Gender-Based Violence rescue center.
Today, the G7 forum will continue at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, where about 10,000 aspiring women leaders have been invited to participate. The event is expected to further solidify the commitment of the G7 governors to empowering the next generation of female leaders in Kenya.
