Winfred Nyiva Mwendwa is the former Kitui Woman Representative.
She quit active politics in the run up to the 2017 general election.
The veteran Kamba politician joined active politics in 1974 when she successfully contested for the Kitui West Parliamentary seat.
Nyiva also went to the books of history as Kenya’s first woman to be appointed as a Cabinet Minister.
As a close ally of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, she is expected to play a key role in the 2022 succession politics.
Here are positions Nyiva Mwendwa held during her active tenure in politics:
1. Kitui West MP
Nyiva was elected Kitui West MP in 1974 general election on a KANU party ticket.
She was a close ally of the retired president Daniel Arap Moi during her tenure as a Member of Parliament.
Nyiva held the parliamentary position until 2002 when she lost a re-election during the famous polls that ended retired president Moi’s 24-year reign.
2. Cabinet Minister
Nyiva was appointed the Minister for Culture and Social Services in 1995 by retired president Daniel Arap Moi.
She served as the Cabinet Minister until 2002 when Moi’s 24-year rule ended.
3. Kitui Woman Representative
Nyiva, the wife to Kenya’s first Chief Justice Kitili Mwendwa was elected Kitui Woman Representative in 2013.
She won the seat on a Wiper Party ticket but did not defend it in the 2017 general election.
Political analysts observe that Nyiva will play a key role on how Ukambani politics take shape in 2022.
The veteran politician has often castigated Kamba leaders for failing to unite and push the region's agenda in the same voice.
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