Study ranks Kagure as Nairobi's most influential woman leader

Kagure leads with 30 per cent support among a sample of 6,000 respondents, who cited her visible presence in the lives of Nairobians through programmes addressing the needs of the vulnerable.

She is followed by Millicent Omanga, a former nominated senator and 2027 Nairobi County Woman Representative aspirant, who polled 26 per cent.

The current Woman Representative, Esther Passaris, came in third with 10 per cent, while nominated senator Karen Nyamu followed with 8 per cent. Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi rounded out the top five with 7 per cent.

The study comes amid ongoing debate over female leadership in Kenya and globally, with sections of the public still expressing doubt about electing women into positions of authority.

Progress has nonetheless been made over the years, with women such as Martha Karua, Charity Ngilu and the late Wangari Maathai having risen to prominence in elective politics and public life.

According to Onchari Oyieyo, a longtime associate of CAP, a sizeable portion of Kenyans still lack confidence in women's leadership.

The study found that 28 per cent of respondents remain opposed to female leadership in roles traditionally considered masculine.

Despite this, the number of women who have risen to mid-level and senior leadership positions in Kenya continues to grow.

The country currently has three female governors: Anne Waiguru of Kirinyaga County, Cecily Mbarire of Embu County, and Gladys Wanga of Homa Bay County.

In the corporate sector, women including Betty Korir of Credit Bank and Rita Kavashe of Isuzu East Africa have risen to chief executive roles. In media, Victoria Rubadiri, a former Royal Media Services news anchor, now works with CNN.