This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
On July 18, 2020, a significant milestone was achieved in the Kenyan Parliament with the unanimous election of Gladys Wanga as the chair of the Finance and National Planning Committee.
Wanga, the Homa Bay Woman Representative, becomes the first woman to hold this powerful position since Kenya's independence.
"A big win for women's leadership as this is the first time in the history of the Kenyan Parliament that a woman chairs the Finance and National Planning Committee," she tweeted.
Wanga expressed her gratitude to the leadership of ODM and Jubilee Party for trusting her with the job and believing in women's leadership.
She also thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta for his magnanimity and her party leader Raila Odinga for his faith in her.
Wanga's election comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta's purge, which led to the removal of the then chairman, Joseph Limo, deemed an ally of Deputy President William Ruto.
She will be deputised by Roysambu MP Waihenya Ndirangu.
Other MPs who benefited from the purge include Muturi Kigano (Kangema), elected to chair Justice and Legal Affairs, Kanini Kega (Kieni), to chair Budget, and William Kamket of Tiaty to chair Delegated Legislation.
