Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu is among the most experienced female politician's in the country.
The NARC governor has a rich political history and has taken part in the country's key constitutional reforms agenda.
Ngilu has served as Cabinet Minister in previous governments and performed exemplary.
Here are six interesting things you didn't know about the Kitui governor:
1. First female presidential candidate in 1997
Governor Ngilu went into the country's history books as the first female presidential candidate in Kenya.
Ngilu vied for the presidential seat in 1997 competing with the likes of retired President Daniel Arap Moi.
The Kitui governor emerged fourth behind NASA leader Raila Odinga, former and retired president's Mwai Kibaki and Daniel Arap Moi respectively.
Ngilu's candidature in the 1997 polls gave women hope and confidence of contesting for elective seats.
2. Born in a family of 13 children
Governor Ngilu was born in 1952 in Mbooni, Makueni County.
The vocal governor is the ninth born in a family of 13.
3. Alliance Girl's High School Alumni
Governor Ngilu is an alumni of the prestigious Alliance Girls High School.
4. 'Mama Rainbow'
Ngilu is popularly known as 'Mama' rainbow'.
She was baptized with the name during the 2002 general election when politicians opposed to retired President Daniel Arap Moi's leadership ganged up to oust him from power under the National Rainbow Alliance.
Ngilu took a leading role in the campaigns that ended Moi's 24 years rule.
5. Won Kitui Central Parliamentary seat in 1992
Governor Ngilu first contested for the Kitui Central parliamentary seat in the1992 elections.
She won the seat, ousting retired president Daniel Moi's close ally George Ndotto, the now Kitui county Assembly speaker.
6. Worked as personal secretary to former Central Bank of Kenya Governor
Ngilu worked as a Secretary to former Central Bank of Kenya Governo , Duncan Ndegwa.
The Kitui governor has now become a force to reckon with in the Ukambani and country's political space.
She is among three women who won governor seats in last year's general election.
With the 2022 political debates on, Ngilu is among leaders whose influence will matter on who succeeds president Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022.