Governor of Homa Bay County [Kenya]
Her Excellency Gladys Wanga is the Governor of Homa Bay County, Kenya, and a trailblazing leader with a career marked by firsts. In 2022, she made history as the first woman to be elected Governor of Homa Bay County, cementing her place as a pioneer in Kenyan politics.
Ms. Wanga’s leadership journey began during her university years, where she became the first woman Secretary-General of the Student’s Union at Kenyatta University. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in health management from Kenyatta University. Following her studies, she worked as a project manager for a decade at the Trust for African Rock Art and Liverpool VCT Health, gaining valuable experience in program management and health systems.
In 2013, Ms. Wanga entered national politics as the first woman representative for Homa Bay County, a role she retained unopposed in 2017. She also served as a commissioner on the Parliamentary Service Commission, becoming the first woman from the Nyanza Region to hold that position. Additionally, she rose to prominence within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party as the Chairperson for Homa Bay County, breaking gender barriers in a highly competitive political environment.
In 2020, Ms. Wanga achieved another milestone by becoming the first woman Chair of the Finance and National Planning Committee in Kenya’s National Assembly. Her exemplary leadership in this role underscored her commitment to national development and sound financial planning.
Ms. Wanga has been an integral figure within the ODM Party, serving as Secretary to the ODM Central Management Committee since 2018. She was also a founding member of the Embrace Kenya movement, which promoted the Building Bridges Initiative and the Handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga. In 2017, she led the Nyanza presidential campaign team for Hon. Raila Odinga and was a lead campaigner for the Azimio la Umoja coalition in 2022.
A strong advocate for social justice from a young age, Ms. Wanga credits her passion for politics to her father, who involved her in his campaign trails. She attended Kisumu Girls’ High School, where she served as head girl and was suspended for standing up for fellow students’ rights.
Ms. Wanga is married to George Wanga, and they have two children. Her exemplary leadership, dedication to social justice, and relentless advocacy for women’s empowerment continue to inspire and break barriers for future generations of leaders in Kenya and beyond.