Catherine Kenga, who has been serving as the County Executive Member for Roads and Transport in Kilifi, has been elected as the new Speaker of the Kilifi County Assembly after securing an overwhelming 41 votes from ward representatives defeating Faith Zawadi, Tandani Mtana, Ruben Katana, and Mazera Shedrack who were also in contention.

Kenga’s election for the County Speaker position come after the ouster of former Speaker Teddy Mwambire in a no-confidence vote by the County Assembly.

Kenga’s election marks a historic moment as she becomes the first woman to hold the office of Speaker in the Kilifi County Assembly.

The election is seen as a significant milestone not only for Kilifi but also for gender representation in leadership positions. Kenga’s ascent to the role of Speaker has been hailed by many as a breakthrough in empowering women in local governance.

In her acceptance speech, Kenga expressed gratitude to the assembly members for their trust and promised to be a fair and impartial leader in the execution of her duties. She also committed to working closely with all members to ensure that the assembly continues to work towards the betterment of the people of Kilifi.

Catherine Kenga’s victory has been widely celebrated, with many expressing confidence in her leadership abilities, given her prior experience in the County Executive Committee. Her leadership is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the assembly’s operations and contribute to the county’s development goals.

As the first female Speaker in the history of Kilifi County, Kenga’s election has been hailed by a number of political leaders including Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro.

The new Speaker’s tenure is expected to usher in a period of increased inclusivity, transparency, and effective governance in the county assembly.