Gladys Wanga makes History as 1st Woman to chair the Finance & National Planning Committee

Homabay Women’s Representative Mrs. Gladys Wanga made history last week when she was elected the new Chair of Finance and National Planning Committee.

She becomes the first woman in the Kenyan history to hold that seat having been held by male members of parliament since its inception.

Her appointment comes at a time when there has been massive replacement of the house leadership committees. Those perceived to be against President Uhuru’s agenda have had it rough in the house leadership committees with their positions being dished out to the opposition side ODM.

In her Facebook page, Hon. Gladys Wanga said that she was deeply humbled by her election to chair that committee. She promised to serve the nation with diligence and determination.She further thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga for having faith in her.  She further affirmed that her appointment was a big win for women leadership in the Kenyan history.

Gladys Atieno Myasuna Wanga was elected the Homabay Womens Representative in the 2013 general elections and got re-elected in 2017 elections. She has been a member of Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare in Kenya since 2013.

Gladys grew up in a political family following the footsteps of her late father John Nyasuna, who was a Councillor in Kisumu Municipal Council.  She graduated from Kenyatta University with a degree in Health Management in 2004 and went on on to get a Masters degree in the same field in 2012 from the same university.

She was the first female to participate and win an elective seat as the general secretary of the Union of the Students at Kenyatta University. 

After University she remained active in politics and engaged in ODM party politics while still working in Liverpool VCT Health. She is passionate about the empowerment of women and youth and education for the girl child. In parliament, Gladys spearheaded the formation of the Information and Public Communication committee.

Hon. Wanga has been on the forefront of EMBRACE which is a caucus of women leaders supporting the Building Bridges Initiative initiated by President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.