Winfred Nyiva Mwendwa is among the longest-serving and veteran politicians in the country.
The former Kitui Woman Representative became the first woman in Kenya's history to be appointed a Cabinet Minister.
Nyiva was also married to Kenya’s first black Chief Justice, the late Kitili Mwendwa.
She hails from a family of politicians and technocrats who served in both the founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and retired President Daniel Arap Moi’s governments.
Here is a look at Nyiva Mwendwa's royal family and the influence it has up today:
Mwendwa's family draws its lineage to the legendary Chief Kivoi Mwendwa of the Akamba community.
Chief Kivoi is known in Kenya’s history books since he was a long distance trader and championed the interests of Akamba people.
He used to trade between Voi and Taita Taveta.
Chief Kivoi’s family includes:
1. The late Kitili Maluki Mwendwa- Kenya first black CJ
Maluki Mwendwa was the first African to hold the Chief Justice position after Kenya attained her independence in 1963.
The late Kitili was the husband to former Kitui Woman Representative Winfred Nyiva Mwendwa.
Before being appointed CJ, Kitili was Kitui West MP before he died in tragic road accident in 1985.
He was succeeded by his brother Kitili Maluki Kyale.
2. Kyale Mwendwa- former MP
Kyale succeeded his brother Kitili Maluki Mwendwa as Kitui West MP in 1986.
He served in the position until the 1988 general election when he lost his re-election.
3. Winfred Nyiva Mwendwa
She is the wife to the late Kitili Maluki Mwendwa.
Nyiva became the first woman to be appointed as Cabinet Minister in 1997 in former President Daniel Arap Moi’s government.
She quit active politics in the run-up to the 2017 general election.
4. Eliud Ngala Mwendwa - former Cabinet Minister
He served as the first Minister for Labour and Social Services in the founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s government.
Ngala died in 2016.
5. Kitili Mwendwa Junior (Nyiva Mwendwa’s son)
He is the son to Nyiva Mwendwa and late Kitili Mwendwa.
Kitili unsuccessfully contested for the Kitui West by-election following the demise of Francis Nyenze.
He lost the seat to Edith Nyenze.
Political pundits argue that he is the one to keep the political fire burning for the Mwendwa's family.
There are claims that Mwendwa Junior could contest for the Kitui senatorial seat in the forthcoming 2022 general election.
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